The Shadow
Alleghany County, Va. (VR) – Alleghany County, along with many other parts of the Commonwealth was hit with significant flooding over this past weekend, causing road closures and prompting a response from the Virginia National Guard. According to officials, the flooding was triggered by a combination of rising temperatures and heavy rainfall. The warmer weather caused substantial snowfall from previous weeks, totaling 8-10 inches in some areas, to rapidly melt. This melting snow, coupled with heavy rains that started on Friday and continued through much of the weekend, led to widespread flooding across the county. The saturated ground also led to many power outages across the Alleghany Highlands. The flooding led to several road closures for various periods of time, including the road going up Hot Springs/Covington Mountain.
Alleghany County is home to several major rivers, including the Jackson River and the Cowpasture River, which converge to form the headwaters of the James River. These waterways and their tributaries, such as Potts Creek and Dunlap Creek, contribute to Virginia’s rich aquatic ecosystem and provide recreational opportunities; however, heavy rain can easily overwhelm these river systems, which leads to dangerous flooding conditions. In response to the crisis, the Virginia National Guard deployed approximately 55 soldiers and airmen to assist with relief efforts. They provided services ranging from commodity distribution and transportation to debris removal using chainsaws. Officials are still working to assess the full extent of any damage that may have been caused.
The Virginian Review extensively covered the flooding on our website and Facebook page. Anyone wishing to see pictures and videos of the weekend’s flood event can find them there. Residents are advised to exercise caution and avoid flooded areas until the situation is brought under control. Drivers are reminded never to drive over flooded roads.
