Community Corner

51 Take Shelter at WSHS, Boil Water Advisory, Damage Assessments Begin

Once water subsides, effects of flooding can be fully realized

At 2 a.m. the heavy rains started to move out of the area, but the damage assessment won't start until the water subsides Friday. New rainfall amounts Friday are expected to be between a quarter and half of an inch possible. 

The flooding along Route 1 was blamed on a swollen Marumsco Creek, said county communications director Jason Grant. 

"Mobile homes in Holly Acres and Marumsco Mobile Home Park were flooded substantially and residents had to be evacuated," said Grant in an e-mail. "Several businesses, vehicles and personal property were substantially damaged due to the floods. The water has receded and damage assessments will begin tomorrow [Friday]."

Find out what's happening in Woodbridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The 50-foot retaining wall at Breezy Ridge Way did give way, damaging apartment homes and forcing additional evacuations. Grant said 51 residents were in the shelter at Woodbridge Senior High School but county officials will inspect the homes of those evacuated to make certain they are safe and habitable. Shelters will be provided for the short term as needed.

The Prince William Service Authority has issued a “boil water advisory” (see attached) for customers located in the  Woodbridge area bounded by Interstate 95 and Route 1, south of Occoquan Road and North of Prince William County Parkway. This area includes the neighborhoods of Marumsco Village, Millwood Estates, Maben Woods, and Ashford. Residents should bring water to a rolling boil for one minute and cool before drinking or used bottled water until further notice is given.

Find out what's happening in Woodbridgewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"Prince William County fire and rescue workers with mutual aid assistance from Fauquier County and Stafford County responded to 24 swift water rescue calls and 40 flood related hazard calls with no reported weather-related injuries," said Grant. "Police had to close several roads throughout the county and responded to 95 calls for service related to flooding." 

Property owners are reminded to contact their insurance providers to report property damage. If life-threatening conditions are observed, please call 9-1-1.

As a reminder, parts of Route 1 are still impassable due to flooding. Virgnia Department of Transportation has this map available for route conditions. 

 

 

 

 


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