Monday, March 7, 2011

Flood Warning for James River in Richmond

Sunday's heavy rainfall (see previous blog entry for a summary), especially in western Virginia, is heading downstream. The James River is expected to swell above the 12.0 FT flood stage (Richmond-Westham gauge, near the Huguenot Bridge) Tuesday morning and max out at 13.2 FT at about 10 a.m. Tuesday.

At that level, about 20 acres of lowlands near the gauge will flood, but no residences in the vicinity will be affected along the river. You can check the latest River level and forecast by clicking here. With the rising level, and likely debris that will be coming downstream, activity in the James is discouraged in Richmond until the river falls back below flood stage Wednesday morning. Extra caution is also advised along the riverbanks as erosion can occur.