Threat of Blackwater flooding lessens
Published 9:21 am Tuesday, August 30, 2011
Bill Billings takes a look at the Blackwater River from Barrett's Landing on Tuesday morning. The river is expected to crest Thursday evening at 16 feet, which should cause moderate flooding. -- JAMES ARTIS/TIDEWATER NEWS
FRANKLIN—The threat of flooding on the Nottoway and Blackwater rivers decreased on Tuesday morning.
The Blackwater is expected to crest at a moderate flood stage level of 16 feet at Burdette at 8 p.m. Thursday. That’s a big change from a Saturday night projection of 20-plus feet, which would have caused major flooding downtown for the third time in 12 years. Flood stage is 13.95 feet.
The crest projections will put four downtown businesses at risk of flooding. Water could be up to the foundations, and there’s a possibility there could be water seeping into buildings. Minimal impact is expected.
Projections for flooding of the Nottoway have also dropped. The National Weather Service’s Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service said late Tuesday evening that the Nottoway will crest at flood stage of 16 feet Wednesday night.
Flooding of the Nottoway is not expected to impact any communities, but water could cover parts of Carys Bridge and Indian Town roads.
The Nottoway as of 4:45 p.m. Tuesday was at 15.62 feet.