Heavy rain makes roads treacherous with Area Flood Warning in effect for Fairfax County

(Updated at 10:05 a.m.) An Areal Flood Warning is now in effect for Fairfax County.

Between one and two inches of rain had already fallen by the time the National Weather Service issued the alert at 7:18 a.m., with flooding expected to remain a risk until 1:15 p.m.

As of 9 a.m., the Fairfax County Police Department reported numerous road closures, including Hunter Mill Road at Hunter Mill Station due to flooding. A downed tree has necessitated a closure of 10100 block of Wendover Drive in Vienna.

While the heaviest rain and flooding has emerged in the Tysons/Vienna area, construction on Route 7 appears to have contributed to high waters near the Baron Cameron Road intersection in Reston.

@VaDOTNOVA Rt 7 Leesburg Pike West right after intersection of Baron Cameron in N. Reston / Great Falls VA pic.twitter.com/pTX15x8VFq

— Eddie (@WFOcom) August 20, 2021

Another driver reported around 8:05 a.m. that emergency responders had blocked off three lanes of the Dulles Toll Road, possibly around exit 14 at Hunter Mill Road, “due to severe flooding.”

@capitalweather Emergency crews blocking off right 3 lanes of 267-East due to severe flooding pic.twitter.com/eFq1H4NPWp

— B. (Beer Fett) (@beer_fett) August 20, 2021

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department urged people to avoid driving if possible, particularly on roads that are known to be prone to flooding.

Flood Watch Today! Plan Ahead! PLEASE Turn Around-Don’t Drown! Don't attempt to drive car through flooded/closed, roadways. You may stall and become trapped. This puts you, passengers AND #FCFRD firefighters/paramedics in needless danger! More: https://t.co/twEoMAdyMY
#weather pic.twitter.com/YYG5jVaEGg

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) August 20, 2021

At 9:50 a.m., the fire department said that it had responded to three different calls for downed electrical wires and two calls for fallen trees just within the past 25 minutes.

“Assume all wires are power lines & LIVE!” FCFRD tweeted. “Avoid approaching/touching anything nearby. Be careful around downed trees as wires may be hidden in tree.”

In last apprx 25 minutes, #FCFRD has responded to 3 calls for electrical wires down–2 due to fallen trees. Assume all wires are power lines & LIVE! Avoid approaching/touching anything nearby. Be careful around downed trees as wires may be hidden in tree. #weather @fairfaxcounty pic.twitter.com/L0lr6lhaZV

— Fairfax County Fire/Rescue (@ffxfirerescue) August 20, 2021