Updated Friday, Oct. 29 at 6:35 a.m.
If there ever was a time to hope the weather forecasters are wrong, this is it.
A coastal flood warning is in place from Thursday night through Saturday afternoon. A rain system will push through the area from the southwest, the Potomac River is already high, and significant flooding in along the Potomac in Alexandria is certain.
Police have already blocked off some roadways to traffic in the area around King and Union streets, The Strand and Wales Alley.
Rain started around 11 p.m. in the Alexandria area Thursday and will continue through early Saturday morning.
“The unprotected area on the Southwest Waterfront at the DC Seafood Market is expected to flood. Water is expected to approach parts of the Hains Point Loop Road, but it will likely be closed. Water is expected to approach buildings near King Street and Union Street. Shoreline inundation up to onefoot above ground is possible elsewhere,” according to the National Weather Service.
The next high tide in Alexandria is at 3:32 p.m. Friday.
The City of Alexandria has offered sandbags to the Old Town businesses and residents most likely to be affected by the flooding.
No longer “once in a century” events, flooding is occurring much more frequently in Alexandria due to a combination of development, deferred maintenance of stormwater systems and climate change.
"This is expected to be one of the worst tidal flooding events of the past 10 to 20 years," Christopher Strong, Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the Baltimore Washington NWS Office, told WUSA9 Thursday.
While some residents may not be able to stop flooding entirely, there are a few things you can do:
- Move furniture and belongings out of basements and other places where water may intrude before the rain starts.
- Clear all storm drains of debris, including fallen leaves, and keep an eye on them throughout the storm in case additional clearing is needed.
- Sandbags at the base of doorways and window wells may help.
- Make sure sump pumps and French drain outlets are clear.
- Take “before” photos of areas of the home that could see damage for reference when filing insurance claims after the storm.
