Flash Flooding and Hail in Virginia, June 15, 1998

The juxtaposition of a northward moving warm front, strong surface low pressure over the midwest, and a fast upper-level jet combined to produce another outbreak of severe weather - this coming two days after a notable episode over much of northern Virginia on the 13th. Once again, damage was highlighted by downed trees, large hail, and several cases of flash flooding. Much of the notable tree damage occurred over and east of the piedmont; flash flooding was seen over and west of the piedmont.The episode was dominated by a single supercell which developed over the west central piedmont near the Blue Ridge and propagated east through Fauquier, Prince William, Fairfax, and Arlington Cos, as well as the independent city of Alexandria. Earlier cells caused scattered severe weather generally northwest of these areas.The first event of consequence occurred in Woodstock (Shenandoah Co), where a localized storm dumped at least 2 inches of rain in 2 hours - on top of saturated soil - producing flash flooding in portions of town. Poor drainage and low-lying areas were hard hit, in some instances worse than the flooding in 1996 (associated with tropical storm Fran). A two-block area was evacuated. Included in this area was a barbecue catering company, which had some equipment washed out of the store. A small sport utility vehicle was washed up against a low-water bridge, with water cascading over the vehicle's roof. Several side streets were flooded, not only in Woodstock but in nearby Toms Brook as well.As the storms tracked east, there were several reports of hail ranging from 0.75" to 1" in diameter. Additional flash flooding occurred in Warren Co, where a minor mud slide temporarily closed a portion of Browntown Road. Low-lying flooding closed the intersection of River and Harrell Road. Around this time, one thunderstorm cell became dominant as it crossed into Fauquier Co. Soon after, the storm exhibited a bow-echo feature, and accounts of damaging winds increased accordingly.Large hail, ranging from 0.75" to 2" in diameter, fell across portions of Prince William and Fairfax Cos. Wind gusts knocked trees and large limbs down in Centreville. Heavier damage occurred as the bow-echo strengthened, in southern Fairfax Co and Alexandria. In Springfield and Mt Vernon, trees fell on two cars; one motorist was injured (in Springfield) but the other(s) escaped unharmed. Farther east, at least a dozen trees were felled in Alexandria; large limbs fell on power lines in the south portion of Arlington. Several more large limbs and/or trees fell alongside or onto the Capital Beltway. A bit farther south, numerous trees fell along federal highway 1 (west of Wide Water) in extreme northern Stafford Co.A final event occurred in eastern Nelson Co, where several trees fell, including one onto a porch and another onto the roof of the same residence, causing substantial structural damage to the home.In all, 31,000 Virginia Power customers lost power during the storms. Frequent lightning was also a problem, though there were no house fires, and no injuries were reported.