Now Too Much Water

I have written to report on too little water in recent weeks. And now I am writing about too much water.

>>>ROADS CLOSED DUE TO HIGH WATER

The following roads are being reported as closed or restricted due to high water by the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office:

Pleasant Valley Road has water in the roadway.

Cedar Green Road between Old Ox Road and Pacific Road in Sterling, VA is closed due to high water.

Edwards Ferry Road at Battlefield Parkway is closed in Leesburg due to high water. Lawson Road in Leesburg is also closed.

Thomas Avenue near Sugarland Run Road in Sterling is closed due to flooding.

The 13400 block of Mountain Road is closed due to a large tree blocking the roadway and wires are down. Virginia Power is currently on the scene.

>>> DON'T DRIVE THROUGH HIGH WATER

Many secondary roadways remain impassable and the Loudoun Sheriff's reminds motorists that if you find yourself driving in potential flash flood conditions, never drive through standing water on a roadway. Water may be much deeper than you think causing your car to stall or even get stuck in hidden debris.
Route 7 near Goose Creek, two right hand lanes heading west towards Leesburg has high water. And many other main and secondary roads.

>>>>> ACCIDENTS ALL OVER

I took a one hour tour of the Sterling District and there are a lot of accidents with cars abandoned in the roadway or a few drivers and passengers stranded in gullies or off the road. These accidents are due to low visability or unsafe driving conditions.

The Sheriff's Office continues to closely monitor roadways that are susceptible to flooding as some areas may experience high water even after the rain tapers off.

>>> WEATHER REPORT at 3:15 p.m.

The National Weather Service, in Sterling, Va., reports a Tropical Storm Warning for Northern Virginia:


WIDESPREAD RAINFALL TOTALS OF 4 TO 7 INCHES HAVE ALREADY FALLEN ACROSS THE REGION. ANOTHER COUPLE INCHES OF RAIN ARE ANTICIPATED THROUGH 5 PM WHICH COULD BRING TOTALS TO UP TO 10 INCHES IN SOME AREAS. NUMEROUS FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS ARE IN EFFECT AT THIS TIME. THE RAIN IS EXPECTED TO END BETWEEN 5 AND 8 PM.

CENTER OF HANNA MOVING TOWARD THE LOWER CHESAPEAKE BAY.

GO TO WEATHER.GOV ON THE INTERNET for more information.


>>>REPEATING EARLIER WARNING FROM THE SHERIFF REGARDING THE LOUDOUN STALKER:

The Sheriff's Department is urging residents to lock all doors and windows.

Keeping the area directly around your home well-lit is also encouraged.

Some neighbors have installed alarms and motion detectors to alert them to intruders.

Look out for the homes of neighbors who's spouses or families have left temporarily.

Report any suspicious activity or persons to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office at 703-777-1021. If you have information on any of the prowler cases you are asked to contact the Loudoun Sheriff's Office Criminal Investigations Division at 703-777-0475.