flooding | ALXnow

Photos: Scenes from the Friday flood in Old Town

Published October 29, 2021 at 5:45PM

Heidi DeuPree and Keith Harmon canoeing down Union Street in Old Town, Friday, October 29, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

After reaching a high water mark around 3:30 p.m. at high tide — with some help from the rainfall — waters are starting to recede for now in Old Town.

Today, a combination of rains and coastal flooding brought the Potomac up to 5.99 feet, making today a “moderate flood” by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) standards. The record high is 8.7 feet from Hurricane Isabel in 2003. The National Weather Service warned that more flooding is anticipated at high tide around 4 a.m. tomorrow morning (Saturday), though it’s not forecast to get quite as high as water levels were this afternoon.

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BREAKING: Flooding in Old Town as Potomac River nears high tide

By Vernon Miles

Published October 29, 2021 at 2:30PM

Flooding in Old Town Alexandria (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

Staff from Alexandria Toyota desperately piled sandbags in front of Chadwicks (203 Strand Street) as floodwaters started to swell and shut down several blocks of Old Town.

The National Weather Service has issued an areal flood warning for Alexandria, in addition to a coastal flood warning in place until Saturday.

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Morning Notes

By Vernon Miles

Published October 29, 2021 at 5:00AM

The legend of the burning bride — “Autumn is not only the season for brisk weather, mahogany and burnt orange color combinations and pumpkin bread with apple cider – it’s also the time of year when Alexandria’s spookiest ghost tales emerge from the shadows to take center stage.” [Alexandria Times]

Alexandria couple creates new non-alcoholic wine — “Michelle and David Toothman found a way that you can have your wine and drink it too but without the negative side effects.” [Alexandria Living Magazine]

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Old Town braces for days of anticipated waterfront flooding

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2021 at 5:30PM | Updated October 28, 2021 at 9:31PM

A cyclist rides through high tide on lower King Street, October 28, 2021. (staff photo by James Cullum)

(Updated at 9:30 p.m.) High water levels in Old Town marked the start of what could be several days of tidal flooding around Alexandria.

A Coastal Flood Warning is in effect starting tonight (Thursday) at 8 p.m. and running until 2 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 30). The National Weather Service warned that high tides could flood parts of the city, particularly along the waterfront.

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Coastal flood warning in effect for Alexandria starting tonight

By Vernon Miles

Published October 28, 2021 at 9:45AM | Updated October 28, 2021 at 11:19AM

Propeller on the waterfront (staff photo by Vernon Miles)

The National Weather Service (NWS) is warning that low-lying areas of Alexandria could see as much as two or three feet of tidal flooding for the next few days.

In a coastal flood warning, the NWS said from tonight (Thursday) at 8 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday (Oct. 30), high tides could flood parts of the city — particularly along the waterfront.

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City looking for $60 million in federal and state floodwater funding

By Vernon Miles

Published October 20, 2021 at 1:15PM

After achieving some funding from earlier grants, the City of Alexandria is going back to that well to try and finance more flood mitigation.

At a meeting on Tuesday, Oct. 26, the City Council is scheduled to review a request for a grant of up to $50 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and up to $10 million from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) and Virginia Resources Authority (VRA).

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ALXnow’s top stories this week in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published October 15, 2021 at 3:30PM

This week saw possibly the most contentious meeting between the City Council and School Board in years for a debate over School Resources Officers that ultimately culminated in the Council voting to temporarily restore the program. The reversal has been advocated by school officials and some parents, but was lamented by advocacy group Tenants and Workers United that saw it as a step-backward for racial justice.

The following day, ACPS was also hit with lockdowns at Alexandria City High School’s King Street and Minnie Howard campuses and Hammond Middle School, though police later said initial calls about a school shooting were unfounded. At the same time, a gas leak near Potomac Yard led to two homes being evacuated and the temporary closure of Richmond Highway.

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City rethinks waterfront flood mitigation plans after seeing the price tag

By Vernon Miles

Published October 8, 2021 at 9:50AM

Flooding on lower King Street in Old Town. (staff photo by James Cullum)

The foot of King Street flooded with water is a dramatic visual that comes up nearly every time there’s flooding in Alexandria, but the city is facing some sticker shock for a long-planned fix.

At a meeting of the Waterfront Commission Flood Mitigation Committee this week, city staff presented a variety of plans that could help combat flooding on the waterfront, from a pair of cost-conscious options to options that put focus more on results than staying within budget.

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Governor Northam announces flooding grants with some money washing up in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published October 5, 2021 at 3:40PM

The view of a flooded Strand Street from inside Mai Thai Restaurant. (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria is getting some state help to boost its stormwater resilience, though the city is at the lower end of the $7.8 million distributed in grants.

Governor Ralph Northam announced today that the $7.8 million would be going to 19 local projects across the Commonwealth that address flooding, sea-level rise, and extreme weather.

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Morning Notes

By James Cullum

Published September 29, 2021 at 5:00AM

Alexandria appoints flood mitigation manager — “Effective Oct. 11, Daniel Medina will serve as the Flood Action Alexandria program manager. The new position will include coordination across city departments on the flood mitigation program and manage the city’s stormwater capital project lineup.” [Patch]

McAuliffe, Youngkin unload in feisty final Virginia debate — “Terry McAuliffe and Glenn Youngkin bickered their way through the second and final debate of Virginia’s competitive governor’s race on Tuesday, trading attacks and accusations from the start of the hourlong meeting.” [Politico]

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BREAKING: Flooding reported in Alexandria

By Vernon Miles

Published September 16, 2021 at 3:45PM | Updated September 17, 2021 at 1:19PM

Flooding near the Braddock Road Metro on Thursday, September 16, 2021. (Courtesy Kerrin Nishimura)

(Updated at 5:50 p.m.) An afternoon storm has brought flooding and shut down some roads and services in Alexandria.

City bus service DASH announced via Twitter that all bus service was briefly suspended due to severe weather conditions, but service resumed roughly 30 minutes later.