PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (VA) VA-WV WSC Response to Helene Rainfall, Sept 28, 2024

Date: Mon, 30 Sep 2024 09:12:07 EDT

Summary: Heavy Rainfall from Helene has significant impacts New, Holston, Potomac and Shenandoah Basins with major flooding.

On Saturday, September 28th, crews from the Marion, Leetown, and Richmond field offices responded to flooding in the New, Shenandoah, and Potomac basins which included discharge measurements and water-quality sampling. A two-person crew from the Charleston FO will make discharge measurements in the New River basin and a one-person crew from Marion FO will flag high-water marks in the Holston basin on Sunday, September 29th.

As of 8 PM on 9/28, 6 gaging stations in VA remain in flood stage, but all are receding. The most significant flooding was found in the New River basin, with the peak at New River at Galax reaching the second highest on record. New River at Glen Lynn, at the WV border reached the fourth highest on record, which dates back over 100 years.

Met Station at Glade Creek, NC, operated by the Marion, VA FO, recorded 17.48 inches across the event. Four other stations across VA had rainfall totals in excess of 10 inches.

Stage-Q ratings were exceeded at a number of stations in the New and Holston basins, which will likely require follow-up with indirect discharge measurements.

All stations are currently operational.