Flood — Buchanan, Virginia

2003-11-19 to 2003-11-20 · Buchanan, Virginia

Wider weather episode

Rains of 2 to 2.8 inches fell in a 12 to 18 hour period from late on the 18th into the afternoon of the 19th. Breaks Interstate Park measured 2.8 inches, Grundy had 2.4 inches, and Clintwood observed 2.2 inches. A tragedy struck, near the Dickenson and Buchanan County line in the Russell Fork drainage, well after the heavy rain had ended. Along the small Laurel Branch, about 3 miles northwest of Davenport, a culvert at the bottom of a private driveway was clogged. The runoff from this heavy rain event collected behind the new impoundment. Local authorities said this allowed water to rise tens of feet. Around 1230E on the 20th, the driveway topped earthen wall gave way. The rush of water first struck a mobile home, with contained a family of 4. The mobile home was carried more than 50 yards before it struck another home, and broke apart. The parents were unable to reach their 2 small children when their home disintegrated. The bodies of their 4 year old daughter and their 2 year old son were found the next day. Two mobile homes were destroyed and 4 mobile homes had major damage in Buchanan County. About 5 vehicles were also destroyed. After a request by Governor Warner, President Bush signed a major disaster declaration that included Buchanan County for individual assistance. See FEMA major disaster #1502.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5332384. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.