CENTRAL VIRGINIA (WRIC) — Here’s the latest on the impact Tropical Storm Elsa had on Central Virginia Thursday night.
10:50 p.m.
Lt. Dave Sawyer with the Chesterfield County Police Department tweeted out that the 1700 block of Ware Bottom Spring Road was closed due to flooding.
Below is a photo of the same road from earlier in the evening:
9:30 p.m.
In Petersburg, the driver of a Ford Mustang driver went into flash floodwaters below the I-95 overpass on Wythe Street. He then tried to push his vehicle out of the rising waters.
This is not recommended — authorities say if you approach flooded roadways to turn around.
8:50 p.m.
Rain continues to fall throughout the region, causing flooding issues across Petersburg.
The Petersburg Police Department has blocked off the following areas with high water signs:
- 300 block of E. Wythe
- East Street at Bank Street
- S. Bloulvard at Bishop Street
- N. Market at Old Street
- N. Market at W. Wythe
- Defense Road at Train Trestle
- E. Wythe at Clayton Street
The 500 Block of Bank Street and Bollingbrook Street are also still closed.
The National Weather Service also issued a flash flood warning for New Kent, Providence Forge and Charles City until 3 a.m. on Friday.
8:01 p.m.
A flash flood warning is in effect for the Tri-Cities, Eastern Chesterfield and Henrico until 2 a.m.
7:40 p.m.
The Petersburg Police Department said the 500 block Bank Street and Bollingbrook Street have been closed due to high water.
The Virginia Department of Emergency Services sent out a tweet reminding drivers not to attempt to drive through flooded roads as the heavy rainfall continues to hit our region.
7:36 p.m.
Dominion Energy is reporting more than 1,000 customers are without electricity in Henrico due to a tree on a power line. The company said crews have been dispatched, but there is no estimated time of restoration yet.
6:40 p.m.
In Mechanicsville, a fallen tree blocked Windsor Drive.
Hanover dispatch told 8New the tree was too big for the county’s fire department and they have requested assistance from VDOT.
Just after 7:30 p.m. crews got most of the tree out of the road.
5:07 p.m.
In Petersburg, the sides of some roads are beginning to flood due to the inclement weather. The city issued a flash flood watch earlier today, saying they are expecting 2 to 4 inches of rain to accumulate in the region.
4:01 p.m.
The first tornado warnings are being issued in Virginia and North Carolina as rainfall continues to increase across both states.
2:49 p.m.
Rain is starting to pick up in the Richmond area. Just a reminder outdoor public swimming pools in the city of Richmond will be closed today due to concerns over Tropical Storm Elsa.
2:06 p.m.
Tropical Storm Elsa is on the way and expected to bring heavy rain and possible flooding. There is even the chance that we could see an isolated tornado or two especially along and east of I-95.
A tornado watch has been issued for central and eastern Virginia. This watch is in effect until 11 p.m. This is typical when a tropical system moves through a region because of the instability and shear that a tropical system can bring.
