Heavy Rain — Fairfax (c), Virginia

2003-09-23 · near Countywide, Fairfax (c), Virginia

Wider weather episode

During the morning of the 23rd heavy rain fell on top of already saturated ground from Hurricane Isabel which struck a few days before. This lead to widespread flooding of roads, waterways, and other low lying areas. In Loudoun County, up to 6 inches of rain fell in 4 hours. Widespread flooding was reported, especially in the Leesburg, Purcellville, Bluemont, Aldie, and Middleburg areas. Across the county, over 50 roads were affected by flooding. Lime Kiln Road, Evergreen Mills Road, and Route 15 were underwater for over 24 hours after Goose Creek surged nearly 11 feet above bankful stage. Crooked Lane Bridge off Lime Kiln Road sustained major damage to a pillar. Pavement damage and debris deposits were left behind after the flooding subsided. Twelve other roads along the creek were also closed by high water and a few sustained significant damage. Goose Creek Golf Course was also flooded and 30 golf carts were damaged. The creek rose over its 12 foot bankful stage at 5:45 AM on the 23rd, crested at 22.7 feet at 4:30 PM on the 23rd, and fell below bankful stage at 5:45 AM on the 24th. Little River flooded the Oatlands Mill area and five people had to be rescued from their homes by boat. One farmhouse along Oatlands Mills Road had water up to its second story. The community of Aldie was also cut off by Little River flooding when Route 50, Snicker Hill Road, and the historic Hibbs Bridge went underwater. The local firehouse sustained significant flood damage and St. Louis Road was completely washed away. In Leesburg, Tuscarora Creek and Town Branch overflowed into yards, basements, and parking lots. Two vans in a parking lot along Town Branch were washed downstream and residents along Shenandoah Street had to be evacuated. The Sheriff's Office administrative building was heavily damaged after the heavy rain collecting on the roof caused the ceiling to collapse. Just south of town on Route 650 (Gleedsville Road), a motorist had to be rescued after being caught in rushing Sycolin Creek flood waters. Just north of Leesburg, Route 15 was flooded by Limestone Branch. In Broad Run Farms, Broad Run overflowed after it was unable to drain into the swollen Potomac River. Young's Cliff Road was closed by high water. Beaverdam Creek near Beaverdam Reservoir also overflowed. It rushed into a nearby home and surged up the historic Hibbs Bridge. Across the county 60 basements were flooded. Rainfall totals included 5.98 inches in Leesburg, 4.4 inches in Lincoln, 4.3 inches in Hamilton, 3.59 inches in Bluemont, 3.2 inches in Ashburn, 2.95 inches in Middleburg, and 2.50 inches at Dulles International Airport. In Clarke County, flooding was reported in Shenandoah Farms along the Warren County border. In Warren County, the following roads were closed by high water: Happy Creek Road, Route 55 East, Free Land Road, Morgan Hollow Road, and Newton Road. The South Fork of the Shenandoah River rose above its flood stage of 12 feet at Front Royal at 6:15 PM on the 23rd. It crested at 13.8 feet around 11:45 PM on the 23rd and fell below flood stage at 6:45 AM on the 24th. Rainfall totals included 3.57 inches at Hogback Mountain, 3.34 inches at Chester Gap, 3.22 inches at Manassas Gap, 2.39 inches at Browntown, and 2.0 inches in Front Royal. In Fairfax County, routes 50, 193, 7, and 29 were underwater in spots. Forty five other roads were closed by flooding across the county. Rainfall totals included 3.11 inches in Annandale, 3.06 inches in Herndon, 3.0 inches in Centreville, 2.57 inches in Vienna, and 2.48 inches in Great Falls. In Alexandria, around 2 inches of rain fell. In Arlington County, 2.45 inches of rain fell at Washington Reagan National Airport. In Falls Church, around 2.5 inches of rain fell. In Fauquier County, high water was reported in Delaplane, Marshall, and Upperville. Route 50 in Upperville and Route 17 in Delaplane were under water for several hours. A total of 2.19 inches of rain was recorded in Warrenton and 2.13 inches was reported in Opal. In Rappahannock County, 4.35 inches fell in Massey's Corner and 3.15 inches of rain fell in Sperryville. The Rappahannock River at Remington rose over its flood stage of 15 feet at 5:45 PM on the 23rd. It crested at 17.9 feet at 6 AM on the 24th and fell below flood stage at 2:15 PM on the 24th. In Culpeper County, a spotter measured 2.30 inches of rain in Culpeper. In Orange County, 2.7 inches of rain was recorded in Gordonsville and 2.11 inches was recorded in Orange. In Spotsylvania County, 2.51 inches of rain fell in Fredericksburg. In Page County, rainfall totals included 4.80 inches at Big Meadows, 4.18 inches in Skyland, 3.80 inches at Rocky Branch, and 2.90 inches in Luray. Flooding damaged 8 county roads across the county, including Naked Creek Road which remained impassible for several days. In Rockingham County, 3 inches of rain fell just north of Lynwood and 2.54 inches was recorded at Swift Run. In Augusta County, the South River reached bankful in Waynesboro. Rainfall totals included 3.15 inches in Upper Sherando, 3.12 inches in Middlebrook, 2.60 inches at Spottswood, and 2.10 inches in Staunton. In Nelson County, 2.52 inches fell at Montebello Fish and 3.04 inches fell at Devils Knob.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5335213. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.