Rains bring flooding, stops utility work

Lorton, Va. –– The rain came down in spurts Thursday morning, sometimes in light showers and others times in torrential downpours.

Thick fog began to form over the Occoquan River about 8:30 a.m., adding to an already horrendous rush hour that saw backups on Interstate 95 from Dumfries to the 14^th Street Bridge.

Drivers seeking a bailout from slow northbound U.S. 1 traffic took back roads, like Old Colchester Road in Lorton.

Where the two-lane road crosses the Giles Run Creek, they found an orange sign warning them of high water, and had to drive through the ponds of water that were growing in size on the road’s surface.

Giles Run Creek was swollen and nearly coming out of its banks, as the water nearly topped the bridge, and debris and trash continued to gather in the rushing water.

The rain also meant a utility line crews that has been working in the Woodbridge area for the past two weeks got an unexpected day off.

“We need to be out there hanging some cable…I’m from South Carolina and I didn’t come up here to sit in a hotel room. If we don’t work, we don’t get paid,” said Scotty Sturkie, wearing a bright yellow work shirt.

He and his crews have been staying at a hotel on U.S. 1 in Woodbridge that overlooks the Occoquan River.

Also at the hotel was business traveler David Burns, who said he’s ready to go home.

“We have to get to the airport today for a 1 o’clock flight to New Orleans. We’re going to take Route 1 up all the way to avoid the traffic on 95,” said Burns.

Both he and his business partner had been staying in Woodbridge since Sunday, and planned today to fly out of Reagan Washington National Airport.

The driving force behind all of this rain continues to be the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole, which are making their way up the East Coast.

While a lull in the heavy rain conditions are expected during the midday, forecasters say another batch of heavy rains could affect the area later this afternoon.

Since early this morning a tornado watch and flash flood warning have been in effect for the Potomac communities. Two or more inches of rain are expected to fall over the area before the storm clears out later tonight.

As for the weekend’s weather, forecasters say it will feel autumnal outside, with temperatures Friday,  Saturday and Sunday in the low 70s and upper 60s, with sunny skies.