PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (VA) Hurricane Sandy related flooding in Virginia

Date: Wed, 31 Oct 2012 10:42:15 EDT

Summary: Monitoring the Hurricane Sandy Flood response in Virginia

During October 28 through October 30, 2011, Hurricane Sandy delivered
considerable rainfall to the areas of eastern and northern regions of Virginia.
Rainfall totals for these regions of Virginia ranged from 4 to 10 inches.

Localized flooding was observed throughout the northern Virginia region extending
east from the northern Shenandoah Valley to Fairfax County and south
Fredericksburg. Significant flood response (return interval greater than 2 years)
was observed at:
1) 01643700 Goose Creek near Middleburg, Va.(15,100 cfs, 50-100 year return interval)
2) 01634500 Cedar Creek near Winchester, Va.(12,500 cfs, 10-25 year return interval)
3) 01644000 Goose Creek near Leesburg, Va.(22,700 cfs, 10-25 year return interval)
4) 01638480 Catoctin Creek at Taylorstown, Va.(9,090 cfs, 5-10 year return interval)
5) 01662800 Battle Run near Laurel Mills, Va.(2,770 cfs, 5-10 year return interval)
6) 01634000 NF Shenandoah River near Strasburg, Va.(15,600 cfs, 2-5 year return interval)
7) 01646000 Difficult Run near Great Falls, Va.(2,650 cfs, 2-5 year return interval)
8) Accotink Creek near Annandale, Va.(2,470 cfs, 2-5 year return interval)
9) Rappahannock River at Remington, Va.(11,800 cfs, 2-5 year return interval)
10) Piscataway Creek near Tappahannock, Va.(332 cfs, 2-5 year return interval)
All other watersheds had streamflow with return intervals less than 2 years.

The USGS Virginia Water Science Center (VAWSC) had 3 field crews dedicated to making
discharge measurements, response to Hurricane Sandy, at 16 stream gaging stations.
Currently, 2 field crews are retrieving the 10 storm-surge sensors that were deployed
along the Delmarva Peninsula and the western shore of Virginia. Additionally, the VAWSC
had 5 field crews dedicated to monitoring the water-quality (nutrients and sediment)
response at 15 stream and river monitoring stations. Thus far, over 30 water-quality
samples have been collected in association with Hurricane Sandy.

Only one stream gage was destroyed as a result of Hurricane Sandy which was Dead Run at
Whann Avenue near McLean Va. (01646305).


Sub-Region: Mid Atlantic; Region: Eastern United States