Newsroom

For Immediate Release

Monday, June 26, 2006

Contact: Mary Curtius 703-228-7943 (voice) 703-228-4611(TTY)

Major Roads in Arlington Reopened in Aftermath of Storm

Parks, Community Centers sustain water and mud damage

ARLINGTON, VA -- All major roads in Arlington that were closed this morning due to severe thunderstorms and flooding have been reopened to traffic.

One road area, 24th Rd. S. and S. Kenmore St., remains closed due to a road-cave-in caused by a failed storm drain. A second storm drain failure occurred at S. George Mason Dr. S. near 12th St. S., in a park area.

Arlington received approximately six inches of rain during the storm, among the highest rainfall in the region. No injuries or deaths were reported as a result of the flooding, however, the storm affected all parts of the County. County crews will be assessing storm damage throughout the day and preparing for expected heavy rainfall today and tomorrow.

Program and service updates

Libraries open: All libraries are open today, with the exception of Columbia Pike Library (which is closed this week for electrical repairs).

Trees damaged, felled: The County received 19 emergency calls of trees blocking streets between Saturday night and Monday morning. Fourteen of the trees had been removed by 11:30 a.m. Monday. Crews are working to remove the rest.

Trash collection uninterrupted: County crews collected trash on schedule Monday morning.

STAR and ART: The STAR paratransit system as well as ART buses are running slightly behind schedule. Check www.commuterpage.com for specifics.

Program changes at parks, community centers:

Charles Drew Community Center flooded, and summer camp programs scheduled to begin there Monday morning were transferred to nearby Carver Community for the day. Staff is cleaning out Drew Community Center and expect to reopen the facility to the public as soon as possible.
Water damage at Fairlington Community Center forced the cancellation of the Fairlington preschool program Monday. The program is expected to be relocated upstairs in the community center for the rest of the week.
The Tot Camp at Lacey Woods Park was cancelled Monday due to standing water and muddy conditions at the park. Parents received calls Sunday night about the cancellation.

Flood advice for residents: Check FEMA's Web site for details about preparing for and coping with a flood -- http://www.fema.gov/hazard/flood/fl_during.shtm

County parks, community centers sustain damage

There has been significant damage to the County's parks. Several fields have been flooded. Heavy rains swept away signs, fences, and picnic tables as well as bridges and trail surfaces throughout the Four Mile Run stream valley. The restroom floors in several parks are covered by mud, and the floors of some picnic shelters are coated with mud.

There were power outages at Barcroft Sports and Fitness Center for three-and-a-half hours Sunday night. Power was restored Monday morning.
The roof of the Walter Reed Community Center leaked, and about one-and-a-half inches of water flooded the area around the circulation desk and office area. The building's "green roof" was damaged.
Signs, fences, and picnic tables were swept away throughout the Four Mile Run stream valley. There is evidence of soil erosion.
Restroom floors in Bluemont, Bon Air and Glen Carlyn parks were covered with several inches of mud.
Picnic shelters in Glencarlyn Park and Bluemont Park were covered with several inches of soil and stone. Part of an asphalt trail in Bluemont Park was washed away. Two bridges in Glencarlyn Park sustained damage that makes them unusable.
The Gulf Branch Nature Center sustained flooding and mud damage to the lower exhibit room and restrooms.
A trail washed out at Donaldson Run Park, and visitors are urged to use caution when entering the park between the Military Road entrance and the first bridge.

Arlington's emergency response

Arlington activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at 11 p.m. Sunday to coordinate the County's emergency response. A team of 10 represented Fire, Police, Transportation, Utilities, Public information and the Office of Emergency Management. The center closed Monday morning, and reopened Monday afternoon on a limited basis to provide situation reports and updates.
Arlington's 9-1-1 Emergency Communications Center (ECC) has received 1,915 calls since Sunday night. The ECC dispatched more than 580 service calls to Arlington's Police and Fire Units between 9 p.m. (6/25) and 11 a.m. (6/26), including a two-alarm house fire. The majority of calls were weather-related. This compares to 80-100 calls during a typical Sunday evening. Additional public service personnel were called in to handle the extra workload.
At the peak, Arlington's Water Pollution Control Plant handled 147 million gallons/day. This compares with a normal daily flow of 30 million gallons/day. Four staffers, including supervisors, were added to the scheduled overnight crew of eight.
The Arlington EOC sent several update messages to the subscribers of Arlington Alert's weather and traffic services.
A team of eight from the Transportation Department was activated to handle road closures, detours and planning.
A crew of 15 from the Water-Sewer-Streets division came in to handle popped manhole covers (due to volume and force of water) and a water main break that further damaged an existing road collapse at 24th Rd. S. and Fillmore St.

Arlington Alert

Arlington's emergency managers urge those who live and work in Arlington to sign up for Arlington Alert, the free service that sends emergency text messages to mobile devices and e-mail accounts. Subscription is free; sign up at www.arlingtonalert.com.

Click for larger versions

Arlington, Va., is a world-class residential, business and tourist location that was originally part of the "10 miles square" parcel of land surveyed in 1791 to be the Nation's Capital. It is the geographically smallest self-governing county in the United States, occupying slightly less than 26 square miles. Arlington maintains a rich variety of stable neighborhoods, quality schools and enlightened land use, and received the Environmental Protection Agency's highest award for "Smart Growth" in 2002. Home to some of the most influential organizations in the world - including the Pentagon - Arlington stands out as one of America's preeminent places to live, visit and do business.

Subscribe to News Releases

Awards & Honors

Last Modified: December 07, 2007