Tag Archives: Flooding

Adopt a … bunny?

Posted on by
Reply

If you want to adopt a dog or cat, the Fairfax Animal Shelter can help. Right now though they are looking for homes for rabbits like this one. Can you provide a safe and loving home for a rabbit?

From the animal shelter:

Adopt a Refugee Rabbit

Recent Floods Cause Influx of Rabbits at Animal Shelter

The Fairfax County Animal Shelter is hosting a special adoption event beginning Friday, October 7 after it received an influx of rabbits following floods that overtook a Fairfax County home. The rabbits’ cages filled with water and the owner could no longer care for the animals. Currently, there are 15 rabbits available for adoption at the shelter.

To help find homes for these displaced animals, the shelter is hosting a special rabbit adoption event October 7 – 14. As part of the event, each rabbit will come with its own habitat including a cage and water bottle. New adopters will also receive a voucher for a free spay or neuter for their new pet (a value of up to $250).

Before adopting a rabbit, make sure to do some research about owning rabbits as pets. Shelter officials advise the following information about owning a pet rabbit:

·         Rabbits are social creatures and require love, attention and play

·         Rabbits frighten easily and should be provided a safe place to live with a hiding place in their living space

·         Rabbits need plenty of food (pellets), fresh water, and regular exercise.

·         Rabbits love to chew and therefore should be watched closely if allowed to roam freely in the home.

“Most people know that our shelter has cats and dogs available for adoption, but many don’t know that we also have small mammals available too,” says Dr. Karen Diviney, director of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter. “We want to find homes for these animals and let people know they can make wonderful pets.”

The shelter also has other small animals, such a guinea pigs, reptiles and birds available for adoption.

To view animals available for adoption, visit the shelter Tuesdays through Fridays 12 p.m. – 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. or see them online at http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/police/animal/adoption.htm

For more information, call the Fairfax County Animal Shelter at 703-830-1100.

Vehicle damaged by flooding at Reston Park and Ride?

Posted on by
Reply

If your vehicle was damaged by flooding at the Reston Park and Ride last week, you could be entitled to compensation. According to VDOT:

If your vehicle was damaged during the Sept. 8 storm that flooded the North Reston park and ride lot, you have the right to file a claim with the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT).  However, in order for the claim to be honored, there must be a determination that VDOT was negligent.

“We don’t want to discourage any vehicle owner from filing a claim but it’s important folks understand how the process works and that there must be negligence for the claim to be honored,” said Garrett Moore, VDOT northern Virginia district administrator.

VDOT is of the opinion that there was no negligence in the design, construction or maintenance of the Reston North park-and-ride lot. The Reston lot, at the corner of Sunset Hills Road and Wiehle Avenue, was overwhelmed by water as were more than 100 other roads in Fairfax County on Sept. 8. The floodwater in the lot receded the next morning.

As with any tort claim against VDOT, if it is determined that VDOT was negligent the agency has the authority to settle claims up to $1,000.  Those claims should be addressed to: VDOT Fairfax Maintenance, 4975 Alliance Drive, Fairfax, VA 22030, ATTN: Cynthia Mercer. The letter should include the date, time and location of the event, daytime phone or other contact information, photos and any other documentation to support the claim along with a signature.

Claims over $1,000 come under the authority of the Virginia Department of Risk Management. Those claims should be addressed to the Virginia Division of Risk Management, P.O. Box 1879, Richmond, VA 23218-1879. The phone number is 804-786-3152.

Two die in Fairfax County on Thursday from flash flooding

Posted on by
Reply

From the Fairfax police:

Two people in Fairfax County died in drowning accidents following heavy, sudden rainfall on Thursday, September 8.

Jake Donaldson, 12, was reported missing around 6 p.m., believed to have been swept away by flood waters in his backyard in the 9700 block of Marcliff Court. Numerous police and fire personnel responded to the scene in the torrential downpour to search for the boy. His body was found around 8 p.m. in Piney Branch Creek at Lawyers Road.

Detectives are continuing to investigate.

In another incident at around 7 p.m., police and emergency personnel responded to an apparent drowning of a 67-year-old man. He had been driving his Toyota Yaris in rising waters near Beech Mill Road at Club View Drive. The man, Arsalan Hakiri, was swept downstream in his car. As he apparently tried to get out, he was swept into the creek and drowned near Carrwood Drive.

Detectives from the Crash Reconstruction Unit are continuing to investigate.

Flash flooding safety tips

Posted on by
Reply

The remnants of Tropical Storm Lee have been passing through Oak Hill these last few days, causing lots of rain and flash flooding in low lying areas.

The Fairfax County Fire Department has some safety tips as well as known flash flood places in the county.

Flash flooding of roads, streams, and other low-lying areas during heavy and prolonged rainfall can be dangerous. This is especially true for motorists attempting to negotiate a roadway that cannot be easily seen because of high water and limited visibility. Flooding due to high rainfall and swollen streams can take its toll on the unsuspecting driver. The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department offers the following safety tips when flooding is forecasted and locations of past flooding areas.

  • Never drive through a flooded roadway; the depth, current, and condition of the road are all unknowns and can be deadly.
  • If you come to a flooded area while driving, stop and take an alternate route.
  • If your vehicle stalls on a flooded road and water is rising, get out of car, call 911, and move to higher ground.
  • Always stay away from floodwaters; even six inches of swiftly moving water can knock someone off their feet.
  • Approximately two feet of swift water can move or float most vehicles, including SUV’s and pickup trucks.
  • Never let children near flooded areas.
  • When flooding is predicted, keep your vehicle parked in your garage or on the driveway away from low-lying areas and large drains.
  • Be especially cautious during periods of limited visibility or nighttime when it is extremely difficult to see and judge conditions.

 


Previous County Flooding Locations

 
  • Georgetown Pike/Swinks Mill Road)
  • Swinks Mill Road/Burford Drive
  • Georgetown Pike/Lawton Street
  • Besley Road/Old Court House Road
  • Lawyers Road/Whippoorwill Road
  • Knollwood Drive/Glen Carlyn Drive
  • Popkins Lane/Coventry Road
  • George Washington Mem Pkwy/Duke Marsh
  • Bellhaven Community/Fort Hunt Road
  • Walker Road/Windswept Drive
  • Leigh Mill Road/White Chimney Lane
  • Shreve Road/Bucklew Drive
  • Burke Road/Liberty Bell Court
  • Guinea Road/Colony View Drive
  • Burke Lake Road/Kilenny Lane
  • Lee Jackson Mem Hwy/Airline Pkwy
  • Stringfellow Road/Melville Road
  • Old Lee Road/Braddock Road
  • Walney Road/Willard Road
  • Fairfax Station Road/Innsvale Drive
  • Chapel Road/Sangsters Court
  • Lee Highway/Sandy Point Lane
  • Lee Highway/Clifton Road
  • Lee Highway/Bradley Road
  • Richmond Highway/Lorton Road
  • Old Colchester Road/Pohick Creek
  • Old Colchester Road/Hassett Street
  • Fair Oaks Shopping Center/holding pond
  • Lee Jackson Mem Hwy/Waples Mill Road
  • Backlick Road/Cumberland Avenue
  • Guinea Road/Bayard Place
  • Woodburn Road/Spicewood Drive
  • Prosperity Avenue/Morningside Drive
  • Prosperity Avenue/Eakin Park
  • Old Mill Road/golf course
  • Richmond Highway/north of Route 235
  • Ferry Landing Road/Old Mt. Vernon Road
  • Browns Mill Road/Pennycress Lane
  • Browns Mill Road/Windstone Drive
  • Hunter Mill Road/Chamberlain Drive
  • Hunter Station Road/Hunter Mill Road
  • Hunter Mill Road/near Cedar Pond Drive
  • Edsall Road/Industrial Drive
  • Cherokee Avenue/Navaho Drive
  • Old Keene Mill Road/Jansen Drive
  • Huntsman Boulevard/Sydenstricker Road
  • Patterson Drive/Beachway Drive
  • Bellview Road/Old Dominion Drive
  • Brooke Road/Daleview Drive
  • Spring Hill Road/Georgetown Pike
  • Lewinsville Road/Holly Leaf Drive
  • Chichester Lane/Copeland Pond Court
  • Fox Mill Road/Folkstone Drive
  • Fox Mill Road/Thoroughbred Road
  • Newington Road/Cinder Bed Road
  • Braddock Road/Pleasant Valley Road
  • Springvale Road/Crippen Court
  • Stuart Road/Gillman Lane
  • Chain Bridge Road/Lee Highway