Flash Flood — Fairfax (c), Virginia

2003-07-22 · near Fairfax, Fairfax (c), Virginia

Event narrative

Lee Highway was flooded.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms with very heavy rainfall and high winds moved through the Virginia suburbs of Washington D.C. during the evening of the 22nd. In Fairfax County, the intersection of Chain Bridge Road and Lee Highway was flooded in Fairfax. Roads were also flooded in Vienna, Herndon, and Centreville. A large tree branch punctured the roof of a home on Barkley Drive just south of Vienna. Areas in a 10 mile wide band from Centreville to McLean recorded rainfall amounts between 2.5 and 3.4 inches. An incredible 3.34 inches of rain was recorded in 55 minutes in Centreville. A total of 2.89 inches was recorded in Vienna. In Arlington County, Four Mile Run overflowed its banks and swept two 22-year-old men off a concrete footbridge near the 800 block of South Arlington Mill Drive. The creek normally runs about 4 feet below the footbridge but the storm's runoff pushed it 6 feet above normal. One of the men was able to grab a branch and some rocks after being washed 1/4 mile downstream and pulled himself to safety with only minor injuries. The other man drowned. The George Washington Parkway and Interstate 395 were also flooded. Several vehicles were caught in floodwaters under the Memorial Bridge. In Falls Church, Broad Street and Route 7 were flooded. Manhole covers and storm drains were also overflowing across the city. In Alexandria, two trees were downed by gusty winds.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5368495. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.