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Stuck in quandary, Del Ray flooding victim seeks therapy

By James Cullum

Danielle Reynolds has actually gotten therapy because of the summer flooding of her Del Ray basement. The family is stuck in a quandary, as moving away isn’t affordable, but neither is spending tens of thousands to continually redo their basement.

“I’ve sought therapy to deal with this, because you can’t move away,” Reynolds told ALXnow. “You can’t afford to buy another house in the area, you love where you live, your kids are friends with all the kids in the neighborhood. You just feel really stuck, and unfortunately there’s not a whole lot that I can do.”

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Tornado and Flash Flood Watches in effect in Alexandria until tonight

By James Cullum

With topical storms headed toward Alexandria, the National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch and a Flash Flood Watch that will be in effect until tonight.

The Tornado Watch is currently in effect until 8 p.m. The Flash Flood Watch comes after Sunday morning’s flooding that swept through familiar areas that have experienced significant stormwater issues for years. It is in effect until 10 p.m.

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Woman behind DrainALX campaign shares frustrations and hopes from locals after Sunday flood

By Vernon Miles
Furniture drying out after flooding in Del Ray after a massive storm on August 14, 2021. (via DrainALX/Twitter)

For Katie Waynick, like many Del Ray residents, it’s been a pretty depressing week.

Waynick runs DrainALX, a social media campaign with a Twitter following that surged to over 600 followers this weekend, and was bombarded this weekend with pictures and videos from friends and neighbors with homes flooded and pipes overflowing.

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As Alexandria looks to accelerate stormwater projects, Sheriff gives city manager a D-

By James Cullum
Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne in the alley behind his house after flooding in Del Ray. (Courtesy photo)

Alexandria Sheriff Dana Lawhorne is fed up and says the city’s stormwater management is a disaster. On Sunday, Lawhorne said he was helping a neighbor in Del Ray pump water out of his basement until 4 a.m.

“It’s the same summer repeated over and over again,” Lawhorne told ALXnow. “I’ve got basement damage and my shed in the back is destroyed. Whenever we get a big storm you’ll see two-to-three feet of water rushing into the back alley and our house gets engulfed with floodwater. It’s not sanitary.”

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Flash Flood Warning issued in Alexandria until 8:15 p.m.

By James Cullum
Furniture drying out after flooding in Del Ray after a massive storm on August 14, 2021. (via DrainALX/Twitter)

A Flash Flood Warning is in effect until 8:15 p.m. in Alexandria, just days after massive flooding throughout the city. A Flash Flood Watch was issued earlier today and was previously in effect until 3 p.m.

The National Weather Service warned of “Life threatening flash flooding of creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses.”

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After rampant flooding over weekend, another Flash Flood Watch is in effect for Alexandria

By James Cullum
Furniture drying out after flooding in Del Ray after a massive storm on August 14, 2021. (via DrainALX/Twitter)

(Updated at 3:15 p.m.) Alexandria is under a Flash Flood Watch until 3 p.m. Monday (August 16), after areas of the city were hit by a massive rainstorm Saturday.

The National Weather Service reports that up to four inches may fall during the late morning and mid-afternoon, resulting in “rapid rises on streams and creeks and in urbanized and poor drainage areas.”

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

City hosting The Fund for Alexandria’s Child virtual gala — “The Fund for Alexandria’s Child (The Fund) will host its second virtual gala on August 12, at 8 p.m. to benefit at-risk children and children in foster care. The public is invited to attend the interactive and inspiring event featuring a live auction, prizes, a raffle, entertainment, special guests and more, all from the comfort and safety of home.” [City of Alexandria]

Alexandria public pools update — “Memorial Pool will be closed on… Thursday, August 5 due to a maintenance issue. Warwick Pool and Old Town Pool remain open. Visit alexandriava.gov/Aquatics for operational hours at RPCA’s three outdoor pools.” [Twitter]

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Two years after massive flooding, city moves forward with Holmes Run trail restoration

By Vernon Miles
A trail over Holmes Run closed in 2020 after flooding damaged the trail system (Staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Two years after historic floods wiped out swaths of the Holmes Run Trail, Alexandria is hosting a community meeting next week to provide an update on long-term repair efforts.

Parts of the trail in Dora Kelley Park have been inaccessible since flooding in 2018, but much of the rest of the trail has been in a state of disrepair since floods in 2019 undermined the structural integrity of two of the bridges and three stretches of trail.

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Here’s how Alexandria will spend the first portion of its American Rescue Plan Act funding

By James Cullum
Alexandria City Hall sign (staff Photo by Jay Westcott)

Alexandria will spend millions on emergency financial support programs, stormwater repair, childcare and dozens of other projects as part of its first portion of American Rescue Plan Act funding.

“Now the really hard work begins,” Mayor Justin Wilson said after Council’s unanimous passage of a plan Tuesday night. “I think this is an opportunity to make some transformational investments.”

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