Downed trees and thousands of Dominion Energy customers with power outages were without power in Alexandria after a strong thunderstorm system that rocked the region overnight into Friday.
Most power outages had been restored. More than 2,300 customers were without power at 10 a.m., and that number dropped to about about 400 by 4 p.m.
A Tornado Watch and Severe Thunderstorm Watch have been issued for Alexandria and other parts of the D.C. region today (Thursday) as storm chances arrive.
Capital Weather is expecting scattered storms — some strong — this afternoon and evening. Forecasters believe initial storms will advance in areas north and west of D.C. from 2-4 p.m. and materialize in other parts of the region from 4-8 p.m.
The floating kayak launch at Four Mile Run Park washed away from its moorings after heavy rainstorms over the weekend.
On Sunday afternoon (Aug. 2), a stabilizing cable that kept the kayak launch in place snapped after too much pressure during high tide from trees and other floating debris. City staff were at the park on Tuesday afternoon to close the walkway leading down to the vacant space. The launch is now resting underneath the Route 1 bridge, and caution tape and a construction sign have been erected to bar anyone from using the walkway.
A Flash Flood Warning has been issued for Alexandria and other parts of the D.C. region as several rounds of downpours pass through today (Sunday).
The National Weather Service issued the warning from 4:34 p.m. to 7:45 p.m., and a Flash Flood Watch continues until midnight. A Flash Flood Warning means forecasters anticipate flash flooding is happening or expected to soon begin.
As thunderstorms advance into the evening, the National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Watch for Alexandria and the rest of the D.C. region.
Capital Weather forecasters say multiple rounds of storms are possible Tuesday afternoon and evening. The Severe Thunderstorm Watch is in effect until 10 p.m.
More than 7,800 customers are without power in Alexandria as the city and region are hit with severe thunderstorms tonight (Monday).
As of 7:45 p.m., Dominion Energy reported 7,821 customers without power across five outage areas. The outages are concentrated around the West End north and south of Duke Street, but they’ve also been reported in Taylor Run, Rosemont and Arlandria.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for Alexandria and the rest of the D.C. region as scattered severe storms are possible today (Monday).
The watch is in effect until 9 p.m. National Weather Service forecasters say scattered severe thunderstorms could produce damaging winds and isolated tornadoes in the afternoon and evening. Multiple rounds of storms haven’t been ruled out, creating potential for scattered flooding in urban and poor drainage areas.
There are more than 50 power outage projects affecting more than 10,800 homes in Alexandria, after the city and region were battered by a severe thunderstorm.
As of 9:15 p.m., Dominion Energy reported 10,833 customers without power across 50 separate projects.
Alexandria City Public Schools will change up its schedule today (Monday) ahead of potential severe weather, including thunderstorms and possible tornadoes.
ACPS will dismiss students two hours early, and all afternoon and evening classes are canceled. The change comes after several regional school systems made their early dismissal decisions on Sunday.
Alexandria is preparing to face this weekend’s looming snowstorm, which is forecasted to bring several inches of snow to the D.C. area and has prompted Gov. Abigail Spanberger to declare a state of emergency today (Thursday).
City staff are currently brining and treating “priority routes, hills, and bridges,” in preparation for the storm, which is expected to sweep the Beltway area with 5 to 10 inches of snow between Saturday night and early Monday, according to Capital Weather Gang. Earlier today, Spanberger signed an executive order mobilizing state agencies, local governments and utility partners to coordinate preparedness and response efforts.
About 250 gravestones at Douglass Memorial Cemetery will be temporarily relocated as a new stormwater improvement project gets underway next month.
Anticipated to begin Jan. 20, the project aims to replace hundreds of feet of aging stormwater pipes and regrade the historic Black cemetery’s drainage systems at 1421 Wilkes Street. Construction will prompt the temporary removal of about 250 gravestones, and will affect traffic along Wilkes Street, City Archaeologist Eleanor Breen told ALXnow.
