Flash Flooding in Virginia, February 4 to 5, 1998

A powerful nor'easter, carrying copious moisture from the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean, dumped between 2 and 4 inches of rain, with up to 5 1/2 inches at some higher elevations in the Blue Ridge, onto already saturated soil from previous events. Widespread minor to moderate flooding was the result. The flooding began later west of the Blue Ridge, since the precipitation began initially as snow. Hundreds of roads were closed mainly due to overflowing small streams and creeks, as well as high standing water. Some counties with high total road closures included Fauquier (36), Culpeper (29), Prince William (27), Loudoun (25), and Shenandoah (20).Numerous roads were also closed farther east; in the Stafford/Spotsylvania/southern Prince William area, the dam at Lake Jackson was reported to be 6.85 feet above flood stage. Measured storm total rainfall at the Quantico Marine Corps station was 4.22 inches. Daily rainfall records were broken at Dulles International Airport (IAD - Loudoun Co) on the 4th and 5th. On the 4th, 2.16 inches fell; on the 5th, an additional 0.46 inches fell.Several water rescues were required on the 4th when vehicles stalled or began to float away. A woman drowned in Clarke Co after being driven into flood waters along the Shenandoah River. The reason for her death was under investigation. A vehicle driven into Page Brook (Clarke Co) became stranded, forcing a water rescue. In parts of Augusta Co, where moderate rains fell onto 4 to 6 inches of wet snow, numerous roads became clogged and flooded; 75 National Guard troops were called in for assistance. Clogged drainage systems also became a problem, leading to sewage backups and waste water dumping into the Shenandoah River.Several school districts closed for all or a portion of the 4th and 5th due to the widespread minor flooding and continued threat of heavy rain.