NWS Forecasts Less Wind, Rain; Power Outages, Damage Remain

Updated: Oct. 30, 11:15 a.m. The National Weather Service announced the Flood Warning will remain in effect until 12:30 p.m. for Northern Virginia. "Ceder Run and Bull Run remain out of their banks flooding nearby lowlands. Other streams are falling and the flood threat will continue to decrease through the day," NWS said. Original Story: While thousands in Western Prince County wait for NOVEC and Dominion Power to restore electricity, line crews will not be as hampered by Superstorm Sandy's high sustained winds and rainfall as the weather situation improves in the region. According to The National Weather Service, Sandy continues to impact the area but the heaviest rains and strongest winds have past as of 6:00 a.m. Tuesday morning and will gradually subside throughout the day. A Flood Warning will expire at 6:30 a.m. this morning; however, the Weather Service warns that a steady rain could continue throughout the morning and it will remain windy with gusts up to 50 mph. Additional amounts of 1-2 inches are possible today and flooding is still a danger. "Residents and businesses along the Potomac River from Harpers Ferry downstream to and including Washington D.C. should prepare for significant flooding as the crest slowly works its way downstream today through late Wednesday night," NWS said. Check for the latest closings and delays here.

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Forecast

Forecasters call for rain on Tuesday with a high near 45, with a south wind of 18 to 21 mph and  gusts as high as 33 mph. Precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch is possible. Wednesday will be mostly cloudy, with a high near 55. Southwest wind around 14 mph and gusts as high as 25 mph are likely.

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Area Roads

In the aftermath of the storm, The Virginia Department of Transportation reports that 143 secondary roads in Fairfax, Loudoun and Prince William counties remain closed due to either high water, downed trees and/or power lines. The majority of these roads are in Fairfax County.

"107 signals throughout northern Virginia are not functioning. Drivers should treat these intersections as four-way stops," VDOT said.

HOV restrictions are lifted today on Interstates 66, 95, 395, and the Dulles Toll Road.

Prince William County police reports the following problems throughout Western Prince William County: Bristow Reid Lane at Vint Hill Road - Flooded (Not Passable) Nokesville Fox Hound Drive at Owls Nest Road - Power Lines Down (Not Passable) 10000 Block of Fox Hound Drive -  Low Hanging Wire (Not Passable) Gainesville Artemus Road at Pageland Lane - High Water (Not Passable) Carver Road at Lee Highway - Wires Down (Passable) Berkley Drive at Mill Creek Road - Tree Down (One Lane Passable) Red Fox Court at Spring Lake Drive - Power Lines Down (Not Passable) 7500 Block of Falkland Dr - Wires Down/Trees Down (Not Passable) 6300 Block of Pageland Lane - High Water (Passable) Haymarket 2400 Block of Little River Road - Tree Down (Not Passable) VDOT urges motorists to avoid driving through water flowing across a road, as it takes only  6-12 inches of water to float a small vehicle.

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Electricity

As of 11:23 a.m. on Tuesday, NOVEC reports 8018 Prince William County customers are still without power Tuesday morning. Outages have been report throughout the coverage area including:

• Sections of Braemar
• Highland Village and Dunbarton
• Aden Road near Joplin Road
• Sections of Sudley Manor Road
• Windy Hill Drive
• Falcon Glen in Foxborough
• Merrimont Trace
• Crossman Creek Community
• Bristow Road between Lucasville Road and Windy Hill Road
• Bridlewood Manor