Thunderstorm Wind — Falls Church (c), Virginia

1999-09-29 · near Falls Church, Falls Church (c), Virginia

Event narrative

Trees downed

Wider weather episode

An area of intense showers moved across Northern Virginia from 7:00 PM on the 29th through 1:00 AM EDT on the 30th, producing winds in excess of 55 MPH and very heavy downpours. Flash flooding was reported in several counties, and high winds knocked numerous trees and power lines down. Rainfall totals from Nelson County included 5.52 inches at Lovingston, 4.87 inches at Devils Knob, 3.68 inches at Tye River, 3.22 inches at Afton Mountain, and 2.01 inches at Montebello. A mudslide closed Route 29 at Colleen. Routes 641, 634, 617, 722, 662, and 605 (River Road) were closed due to high water. Up to 20 roads were closed at one time across the county overnight, and schools were closed on the 30th because several roads were still impassable by morning. One family had to be evacuated from their home became surrounded by water and several homeowners reported flooded basements. Damages countywide were estimated around $50,000. Albemarle County reported parts of Route 776, 667, 250W, Sharon Road, and dozens of other roads under water. The community of Free Union reported 4.37 inches of rainfall. In Augusta County, rainfall amounts included Waynesboro at 2.72 inches, Robinson Hollow at 2.62 inches, and Upper Sherando at 2.44 inches. Strong winds knocked down power lines in Rockingham County, sending 4000 residents into the dark. Lines were downed across Route 981 near Elkton, on Route 33 and Judy Lane near McGaheysville and on Mt. Crawford Avenue in Bridgewater. Greene County reported more than 20 roads covered by high water. One woman was rescued from her vehicle after she unknowingly drove into a flooded portion of Route 604 (South River Road) around 9:45 PM EDT. Standardsville reported 2.98 inches of rainfall. Trees and power lines were also downed across the county, leading to scattered power outages. Page County reported 4.68 inches of rainfall at Lewis Mountain Camp, 4.28 inches at Big Meadows, 2.75 inches at Ida, 2.36 inches at Rocky Branch, and 2.09 inches at Luray. Several low lying bridges and Longs Road were water covered after the deluge. In Madison County, Route 600 and 638 were closed at Criglersville by high water. Streams near Old Rag Mountain overflowed. Rainfall reports included Fork Mountain at 4.56 inches, Syria at 4.45 inches, Hood at 4.20 inches, Madison at 4.1 inches, Robinson at 3.51 inches, and 3.00 inches along Route 29 at the Rapidan River. In Orange County, Somerset reported 3.05 inches of rain, and the city of Orange reported 2.25 inches. The city of Culpeper in Culpeper County reported 3.92 inches of rainfall. Rainfall amounts in Rappahannock County included 4.48 inches at Sperryville, 3.90 inches at Castleton, and 3.65 inches at Massie's Corner. The Hazel River went out of its banks by 10:15 PM EDT. High water closed Route 522 between Huntly and Chester Gap and portions of Route 729, 628, 622, and 626. Schools were closed on the 30th because several roads remained under water overnight. In Warren County, 4.64 inches of rain fell at Chester Gap, 4.56 inches fell at Manassas Gap, 4.52 inches fell at Limeton, 3.43 inches fell at Hogback Mountain, and 2.16 inches fell at Browntown. Dismal Road and the Lindon area were flooded. High winds also downed a tree across Morgan's Ford Road (Route 624). Nearly 2.4 inches of rain fell at Warrenton in Fauquier County between 10:30 PM EDT on the 29th and 12:30 AM EDT on the 30th. The community of Opal received 2.37 inches and the The Plains recorded 2.40 inches. In Frederick County, winds gusted to 60 MPH at Hayfield. An old convenience store along Route 50 in the Hayfield area had sections of its roof ripped off and thrown into the parking lot. Trees and power lines were downed across the northern half of the county and the city of Winchester, resulting in power outages for 1400 customers. Fallen trees blocked 1 1/2 lanes of Interstate 81 southbound between Route 50 and Route 7. High winds blew a metal canopy off a building along Route 50 east of Winchester and brought trees down across the highway. Winds gusted to 47 MPH at the Winchester Airport at 11:23 PM EDT.Clarke County reported wind damage and flooding. Trees and power lines were downed countywide blocking 25 roads, including Route 540, 955, and 1513. An acre of trees on Blue Ridge Mountain was flatten. Flash flood waters washed out a culvert on Route 723 and a bridge on Route 604. High water covered portions of Route 761and 655 along Opequon Creek. Mt. Weather received 3.80 inches of rain. In Loudoun County, winds gusted to 53 MPH at Round Hill at 11:55 PM EDT and numerous trees were downed in the western portion of the county. Trees were also reported downed in Waterford, Lucketts, and Cascades. Rainfall amounts included Middleburg at 1.95 inches, Leesburg at 1.92 inches, Sterling at 1.69 inches, and Dulles International Airport at 1.56 inches. In the city of Manassas, several trees were downed and a quick 1.98 inches of rain flooded city streets. Liberia Avenue, Braddock Road, and Compton Road were temporarily covered with water. Water also covered Route 28 in southern Prince William County near the Fauquier County line. In Fairfax County, trees were downed in Herndon and the city of Fairfax. Other trees fell onto Interstate 66 at the Fairfax County Parkway and Interstate 95 at Route 644 in Springfield. Winds gusted to 54 MPH in Chantilly at 12:15 AM EDT and 50 MPH at Springfield. Rainfall amounts included Bull Run Mountain at 2.80 inches and Mt. Vernon at 1.6 inches. Washington Reagan National Airport received 1.59 inches and a wind gust of 45 MPH at 11:49 PM EDT. Scattered trees were downed in Falls Church, Alexandria, and Arlington. 3000 customers across Northern Virginia lost power as a direct result of the storm.

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Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5718164. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.