Between the outer bands of Hurricane Helene and previous rainstorms, water levels have been much higher than usual across Central Virginia, leading to flooding, road closures and potential risks to riverside property.
A flood warning from the Wakefield National Weather Service station is in effect along the James River until Thursday evening. The warning extends from the Powhatan Correctional Center to the western edge of Belle Isle in Richmond, with moderate flooding forecasted in the City of Richmond and Chesterfield, Cumberland, Goochland, Henrico and Powhatan counties.
The Virginia Department of Transportation is advising people to call 511 or visit its interactive map for information on road closings before traveling.
The below updates reflect river conditions and flooding impacts as of 4 p.m. Tuesday.
Richmond
VPM News found increased water levels on Tuesday at the Huguenot Flatwater area near the Huguenot Memorial Bridge. NWS Wakefield measured the James at 13.6 feet Tuesday afternoon at its Richmond-Westham gauge, just above the level at which Huguenot Flatwater begins to flood.
The agency projected that the James would crest as high as 15 feet — a level that would threaten damage for residences in the area, including along Riverside Drive — Wednesday morning, before returning below flood level (under 12 feet) by Thursday afternoon.
Further downriver, the James measured at just under 9.3 feet near Great Shiplock Park. Richmond’s parks and recreation department advises that when water levels are above 9 feet, only expert paddlers should go out on the James for recreational purposes.
NWS Wakefield estimates that minor flooding in the area starts at 8 feet, with portions of Rocketts Landing Park and the Virginia Capital Trail experiencing flooding once levels reach 11 feet — which is projected to happen late Wednesday morning.
Charlottesville-Albemarle-Farmville
VPM News observed flooding on Tuesday along the Rivanna River at Darden Towe Park in Albemarle County and Riverview Park in Charlottesville.
At its Palmyra gauge, the Rivanna was measured at over 23 feet Tuesday afternoon — up more than 16 feet since early Monday morning. The increased levels caused flooding that shut down Carysbrook Road as of approximately 6:30 a.m. Tuesday, according to the Virginia Department of Transportation.
NWS Wakefield projected that the Rivanna’s water levels had already peaked and would drop back below flood levels (under 17 feet) by Wednesday night.
NWS Wakefield also projected that the Appomattox River had crested at just below 19 feet at its Farmville gauge, with flooding on Old Plank Road upstream of the gauge and on River Road downstream. Water levels are expected to return below flood range by Wednesday morning.
Mint Springs Valley Park in Crozet is closed due to flooding, according to Albemarle County officials — with no timeline for when it will be able to reopen.
The Daily Progress reported a list of road closings across the area, including Plank Road in Albemarle County, Durrett Ridge Road in Greene County, Mutton Hollow Road in Madison County, Howardsville Turnpike in Nelson County and Greenwood Road in Orange County. The list did not include any closings in the City of Charlottesville.
