Alexandria is advising residents to file a claim for flood damage after the Alexandria’s sewer system was backed up by a rush of water 30 times greater than what the city can accommodate in an intense storm last Thursday (July 23).
The most impacted areas were Del Ray, Old Town and Park Fairfax, the latter of which had water reaching to the level of car windows, according to the Alexandria Times.
“While last night’s storm was nearly 30 times more intense than the City’s storm sewer system is designed to handle, the City is currently planning and prioritizing infrastructure improvement projects in the 10-year Capital Improvement Program that will address flooding and drainage issues in less extreme cases,” the city said in a news release.
At one point the Alexandria Fire Department responded to nearly a dozen calls for service to help with flooding throughout the city.
Mayor Justin Wilson said on social media that the city needs to prioritize further investments in climate-resilient infrastructure, since the storm was “between 50 and 100-year but with greater intensity.”
Last year it was a “100-year” storm. Last night’s storm was between 50 and 100-year but with greater intensity….
Posted by Justin Wilson on Friday, July 24, 2020
The full release from the city is below the jump.
Updated 4:25 p.m. — Alexandria is also experiencing widespread power outages, with an estimated 4,928 residents in the area currently without power.
Alexandria is under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 7 p.m., as a strong storm is bearing down on the area.
The National Weather Service is advising that residents stay indoors.
Flash Flood Warning including Washington DC, Arlington VA, Alexandria VA until 6:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/WGZSj4Yttj
— @NWSFlashFlood (@NWSFlashFlood) July 22, 2020
From the National Weather Service:
At 342 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from North Kensington to near Dale City, moving east at 25 mph.
These are very dangerous storms.
HAZARD…75 mph wind gusts and quarter size hail.
SOURCE…Radar indicated.
IMPACT…Expect considerable damage to trees and power lines. Your life is at significant risk if outdoors.
In addition to some trees falling into homes, wind damage is possible to roofs, sheds, open garages, and mobile homes.
Locations impacted include… Arlington, Alexandria, Bethesda, Bowie, Annandale, Clinton, Springfield, College Park, Fort Washington, Greenbelt, Fairfax, Langley Park, Beltsville, Fort Hunt, Vienna, Groveton, Forestville, Falls Church, Huntington and Coral Hills.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
This is an EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SITUATION. Mobile homes and high profile vehicles are especially susceptible to winds of this magnitude and may be overturned. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building. These storms have the potential to cause serious injury and significant property damage.
Continuous cloud to ground lightning is occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature`s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.
Staff photo by James Cullum
Flood Watch Issued for Alexandria — “Multiple rounds of rainfall will occur through early Friday. The heaviest rainfall potential will begin Thursday afternoon and continue into Thursday night. Storm total rainfall amounts through Friday morning are expected to range between 2 and 3 inches.” [Twitter, Twitter]
New Facility Opens at Bishop Ireton HS — “After less than eighteen months since its groundbreaking, Bishop Ireton High School hosted hundreds on Monday, February 3 who were there to celebrate the ribbon cutting ceremony and opening of the school’s new 40,000 square foot academic center, which sits adjacent to the current school building at 201 Cambridge Road.” [Zebra]
Del Ray Awards Voting Starts — “It’s February — and that means it’s time for the Heart of Del Ray Awards! ‘Every February, the Del Ray Business Association presents the Heart of Del Ray Award to the business that serves as the heart and soul of Del Ray, as determined by a public vote of neighbors and customers,’ according to the Del Ray Business Association.” [Alexandria Living, Heart of Del Ray]
Library to End Movie Streaming Service — “Alexandria Library is set to end access to the Kanopy on-demand movie streaming service for members on April 30… The library began offering the streaming service for free to members in August 2018.” [Patch]
