October 7, 2006. Poquoson, Virginia.
Photographer states :: Bad Nor'Easter / The Rescue
Storm swamps Virginia's capital (click title above)
RICHMOND, Va. - A storm that dropped as much as 9 inches of rain forced the evacuation Saturday of about 100 people in a six-block section of the state capital, caused scattered flooding in the southeastern part of the state and likely contributed to the death of two fishermen.
Ferry service across the James River was temporarily suspended because of high water; one ferry returned to service Saturday afternoon.
In southeast Virginia's Isle of Wight, officials evacuated about three dozen people and reported widespread flooding after at least 8 inches of rain since Friday.
"We have more roads out than we can keep track of," said Don Robertson, a spokesman for the county. "We have some bridges that are out [and] a lot of flash flood conditions."
The bodies of cousins David F. Dryden, 70, and John W. Dryden, 59, were found Saturday in the Poquoson River where it empties into Chesapeake Bay, the Coast Guard said. Their boat was found capsized Friday night in seas with waves up to 5 feet and 50 mph wind gusts, Petty Officer Kip Wadlow said.
The National Weather Service said rainfall since Friday ranged from 4 inches to 9 inches as a storm stalled over the state and a band of rain drenched central Virginia to Hampton Roads.
In Richmond's Battery Park, police went door-to-door to more than 40 homes and apartment buildings to enforce the city-ordered evacuation. A month ago, the area was flooded during Tropical Depression Ernesto, causing $9 million in property damage and the condemnation of 68 properties. More than 250 homes were evacuated then.
The latest evacuation involved about 100 residents, said Britt Drewes, a spokeswoman for the Department of Public Works. An emergency shelter was opened.
"These residents are so sad to see this again," Drewes said. "When the rain started, everybody cringed. There's just frustration."
A broken sewer main fouled the flood waters and brought vermin and snakes into some residents' homes during Ernesto. Forty million gallons of water a day is being pumped from the neighborhood, but that doesn't keep up with the rain, Drewes said.
