Sandbags Available Thursday Until 11 PM for Potential Flooding in Alexandria: City

ALEXANDRIA, VA -- The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a Coastal Flood Advisory for the Alexandria area through midnight Friday. The forecast indicates that onshore winds and tides may combine to create flooding of low-lying areas along waterways. NWS has also issued a Flash Flood Watchinto Friday morning.

The City said in an announcement sent out Thursday shortly after 5 p.m. that it is prepared for a wide range of potential storm impacts and urges all residents and businesses to review storm preparation procedures for handling possible flooding, high winds, downed tree limbs, and power outages. Residents and businesses are asked to prepare for the possibility that it may not be safe to travel or that power may be out.

Residents and businesses can help by staying off the roads if it is unsafe to drive, using sandbags to protect waterfront property, clearing leaves and debris from neighborhood storm drains, and monitoring weather reports, the City warns. Residents living in low-lying areas should be prepared to evacuate if a Flood Warning or Flash Flood Warning is issued. Never attempt to cross a flooded roadway.

Sandbags
The City will provide up to five free sandbags per resident or business which may be picked up Thursday, Sept. 29, until 11 p.m., at 133 S. Quaker Lane.

Those picking up sandbags will be asked to show proof of residence or business ownership in the City of Alexandria, such as a driver’s license or utility bill. Sandbags should be returned to the pickup location after the storm, and should not be disposed of with normal trash or recycling.

Additional instructions for how to best use sandbags are available at www.alexandriava.gov/Flooding. Note that sandbags are most useful to help prevent flooding from rivers, creeks, and runs, and are less effective at preventing damage from direct rainfall.

Utilities
If your power goes out, report it to Dominion Virginia Power at 866.DOM.HELP (866.366.4357) or www.dom.com. For information on food safety in the event of a power outage, see www.alexandriava.gov/Health.

To report a water main break or for questions about water service, contact Virginia American Water at 800.452.6863.

Residents and businesses are encouraged to take steps to prevent flooding and sewer backups by clearing eaves, drains and sewer openings; checking gutters and downspouts; ensuring that sump pumps are working properly, and moving furniture and other items from basements to upper floors if located in areas prone to flooding or backups. For additional information, see www.alexandriava.gov/Flooding.

Cancellations

• Check www.alexandriava.gov/Calendar for other event cancellations and facility closures that may occur due to the weather.
• For Alexandria City Public Schools operating status, see www.acps.k12.va.us/emergency.

For questions or concerns about storm response, call 703.746.HELP. Please call 911 only in the case of a life-threatening emergency or serious crime.

For flooding preparedness information, visit www.alexandriava.gov/Flooding, For weather-related alerts, sign up for the City’s Alexandria eNews service, or connect online at www.alexandriava.gov/SocialMedia.

PHOTO: Sandbag distribution in Alexandria/Patch archive