ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Flooding preparations were underway Thursday night in Alexandria ahead of possibly the worst coastal flooding the region has seen in two decades.
For some folks in flood-prone areas a forecast that includes flooding triggers fears and worries that their yard could turn into a river.
“I’ve done everything I possibly can to prevent any flooding from entering the house, I don’t know what else I can do," Barbara Mancini said.
Mancini said she has lived in her Del Ray home for 30 years and flooding events have only become more severe over the last few years.
"I mean it’s very stressful," Mancini said. "If you talk to any of the neighbors it’s really stressful and I can’t even enjoy a summer rain anymore for fear it’s going to turn catastrophic."
Mancini said her home has been spared with floodwaters coming inside her home but has had her share of damage from the floodwaters. She said her car was totaled after one flood, and her neighbors have had upwards of two feet of water fill their homes.
"Even tonight I’m up, I sleep with one eye open because I don’t know what’s going to happen. I get up, check the streets to see if there’s any flooding. I text my neighbors," Mancini said.
Flood-prone Old Town also had sandbags in front of businesses ahead of potentially dangerous flooding Friday. The National Weather Service said the D.C. region could see the worst coastal flooding event it's seen in 20 years.
On the City of Alexandria's website, it said the city has experienced more frequent and severe flash floods. In the latest city newsletter, it said the city launched a new portal for residents to check how much rain is falling and what areas are starting to flood to prepare for flash floods.
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