Photos by: Mary Davidson
Story by: Uriah Kiser
Woodbridge, Va. — Flood waters started building on U.S. 1 in Woodbridge when Marumsco Creek toppled its banks Thursday afternoon. Police closed the highway one lane at a time before it became impassable.
Buddy Sigmond has worked at A & M Auto Body, in the center of the flood zone, for the past 16 years.
“We lost everything, all of the equipment, a truck, I’ve never seen anything like it. Water in the building was seven feet high,” said Sigmond.
They didn’t have flood insurance and he wasn’t there when the flood waters began to rise.
“I wish I was, maybe I could l have saved some of the equipment, something, anything,” he said.
The waters didn’t just take businesses; they took the homes of more than 300 people now living in a Red Cross Shelter at Woodbridge Senior High School. Their mobile homes — across the street from the auto shop — have all been condemned after they were ripped from their foundations.
In the neighborhood Friday, those who appeared to have lost everything worked to pick up the pieces in muddy conditions that resembled a war zone.
After the homes were washed from their foundations, sewage problems have made the area uninhabitable, said Prince William spokeswoman Nicole Brown.
At the shelter, officials say it will be open for the remainder of the weekend. The Red Cross has asked residents not to bring donations of any kind to the shelter due to security concerns. Though they are appreciated, the aid agency says they have all they need to assist the victims, officials say.
Prince William County’s Department of Social Services has been charged with helping those displaced with finding a new place to live.
Gov. Robert F. McDonnell declared a state of emergency last night, which allows state agencies to provide quicker emergency assistance to places like Woodbridge.
“After they declared a state of emergency, maybe we’ll get some kind of help here,” said Sigmond.
The flood waters claimed three lives, including the drowning death of a man whose body was found on Davidson Airfield at Fort Belvoir.
Recent Stories
A summer tradition returns to Northern Virginia with a patriotic lineup of performances from some of the nation’s top military ensembles. The 2025 Summer Concert Series at the National Museum of the Marine Corps continues on Thursday, July 3, with a performance by the U.S. Marine Corps Battle Color Detachment.
What started as a separate movie theater and bowling alley with a myriad of names is now “Hooky,” an entertainment destination at Spotsylvania Town Centre that offers something for everyone, even if you’re playing hooky from another obligation.
A Falmouth woman is pushing back against a county order to shut down a small farm stand on her property, saying the structure is part of a broader effort to preserve the agricultural lifestyle that once defined Stafford County.
A dragon, a swamp, and a whole lot of heart are taking over the stage at All Saints Catholic Church this summer as the Upper Room Theatre Ministry prepares for its biggest production yet: Shrek the Musical.
The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is your destination for all arts and culture activities in Northern Virginia. Find a concert, play, poetry reading, or exhibition in your neighborhood—many events are free and family-friendly!
Are you part of a performing arts group, school, or cultural organization? You can add your events and classes, too. The ArtsFairfax Events Calendar is free and easy to use.
Your attendance at local arts events supports small businesses in our community and the art makers who help make Fairfax and its surrounding region so vibrant. With the ArtsFairfax Events Calendar, you can stay curious and stay local to plan your next arts adventure!
Go Ape, America’s leading aerial adventure park provider, is proud to unveil a revitalized experience across its iconic Zipline & Adventure Parks. This refresh goes beyond physical upgrades; it reflects a renewed mission to foster meaningful connections between people, nature, and self.
“Go Ape has always been about thrilling treetop adventures,” says Chrissy Very, Senior Director of Marketing. “Now, we’re redefining what it means to truly connect: through purpose-driven outdoor experiences that inspire courage, reflection, and joy.”
As access to public outdoor spaces becomes more limited, Go Ape steps in to bridge the gap with immersive, inclusive, and wellness-focused adventures for individuals, families, and groups.
Christmas in July
Volunteer Prince William will be holding a fun-filled Christmas in July event at Heritage Brewing Co on July 26th from 12pm until 6pm with all proceeds going to support the 2025 Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket Program. Untrim-A-Tree and Senior Basket
Your Weight Matters National Convention
Hosted by the Obesity Action Coalition (OAC) since 2012, this highly-anticipated gathering is the nation’s leading gathering focused on empowering individuals with science-based education, support and practical tools for managing weight and improving health.
This unique Convention truly has something
