Flood Cleanup in Alexandria, VA, From Old Town to Seminary Hill
Flood cleanup in Alexandria, VA has two very different starting points. Near the waterfront, the Potomac itself rises into low streets. Everywhere else, the bigger threat is a short, violent storm that drops more rain than the drains can carry.
Call (703) 555-0104 if water is still coming in.
River Flooding and Flash Flooding Are Different Problems
Lower Old Town sits on filled marshland. The city lists three ways water reaches the waterfront: tidal backflow through storm drains, the river topping the bulkhead, and heavy rain. It is upgrading storm sewers and bulkheads to protect that area.
Inland, the pattern is flash flooding. The city's own record of recent events includes July 2019, when up to four inches fell in an hour, and July 2020, when two to three inches fell in half an hour. Streams such as Four Mile Run and Cameron Run rise fast in storms like those, and basements in neighborhoods that never expected water got it anyway.
What We Do on Day One
- Safety check: power to the affected area off, gas smell checked, structure inspected.
- Extraction: pumps and extractors to remove standing water and silt.
- Triage: we sort what can be cleaned from what has to go, photographing everything.
- Tear-out: wet carpet, pad and lower drywall come out; plaster walls are assessed before anything is cut.
- Drying setup: dehumidifiers and air movers placed by moisture reading, with a first log entry.
Flood water picks up whatever it crosses, so we clean and disinfect hard surfaces before drying begins.
Floodproofing Grants
Once the cleanup is done, the city's Flood Mitigation Grant Program can reimburse up to half of eligible floodproofing costs, up to $5,000 for a private property and up to $25,000 for condominium or HOA common areas. It's open to all property owners in the city.
If the water came up through a drain, our sewage backup cleanup page is more relevant. And for the full range of work, visit the Alexandria crew's main page.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I'm in a mapped floodplain?
The city's flood map page covers watersheds including Four Mile Run, Cameron Run, Holmes Run and the Potomac River and Old Town.
Do I need flood insurance if I'm not near the river?
Many of the city's recent flash floods hit areas outside mapped floodplains. Flood damage is usually excluded from standard homeowners policies.
Can old plaster walls be saved after a flood?
Often, if the water was relatively clean and brief. We test before cutting.