Roads Remain Closed After Flash Floods Strike Loudoun

LOUDOUN COUNTY, VA — Heavy rains produced dangerous flash flooding in Loudoun County Thursday night. Several roads were closed by flooding or downed trees, including Route 7 in Leesburg by the W. Market Street overpass and Route 7 at Clarke's Gap where it intersects with Route 9.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for central and western Loudoun County Thursday night, urging residents in areas of flooding to seek higher ground and avoid all unnecessary travel.

Several roadways remained closed in Loudoun Friday morning due to the flooding and downed trees after the previous night's heavy rains, according to the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office.

In Round Hill, major flooding occurred in the roadway at Greenwood Drive and Route 719, a low-lying area notorious for flooding during heavy rains. "Please remember, if you come across a roadway that is flooded, never attempt to drive or walk through the water," the Loudoun County Sheriff's Office said in a tweet Thursday night.

At around 11 p.m. Thursday in Waterford, the South Fork of Catoctin Creek had risen 8 feet in less than two hours, reaching moderate flood stage. The heavy rains caused flooding on Route 662 as water approached a building on Main Street in the center of the village.

Major flooding was reported near Limestone Road north of Leesburg. The Limestone Branch that feeds into the Potomac River had risen 7.5 feet in one last hour and is in a "moderate flood stage and rising," the National Weather Service reported at around 11 p.m. Thursday. At this level, water begins to enter homes near the stream, which is close to Route 15 north of Leesburg.

Route 15, near Raspberry Falls, was reportedly shut down, with 6 feet of water in the roadway and several cars stuck in the water.

The town of Leesburg reported that the flooding affected several areas, including Edwards Ferry Road NE between Plaza Street NE and Cherry Lane NE; S. King Street between Loudoun Street SE and Monroe St SE; and Catoctin Circle SE and Harrison Street SE near the W&OD Trail.