Lower Huntington Residents Ordered to Evacuate

Update 8:45 p.m.

Police and fire personnel are knocking on doors on Farrington Avenue strongly recommending that residents leave, but it is not a mandatory evacuation. Several people who live on Fenwick Drive and Arlington Terrace have chosen to stay put for the night.

Update 7:10 p.m.

Michael Murphy and Lee Strom, both waiters at Occidental restaurant, evacuated from their home on Arlington Terrace in Huntington to Lee District Rec Center Monday night, the third time they have been evacuated due to flooding since 2006.

The two were part of a mandatory evacuation from lower Huntington Monday night.

Strom missed work due to the Metro shutdown.

The pair took a change of clothes, towels, money and a phone charger with them to the rec center.

"Our basement has filled up at least three times, and we had 18 inches of water in our living room after Hurricane Isabelle," said Strom. "As for the flooding level now, there's not a problem with it. Right now, I think they're just taking precautionary action. We live on the lowest portion of the street so we get the very, very worst of it."

Update 6:57 p.m.:

Fairfax County police and fire personnel are going door-to-door in Huntington tonight giving residents evacuation orders. Officials have set up a command center on Huntington Avenue just up the hill from the evacuation area. 

One resident, Jeff Daniels, who lives near the end of Fenwick Drive, said he did not want to leave. 

“The water level isn’t that high yet, and high tide hasn’t come through. The power hasn’t gone out and I don’t think it’s going to be as bad as they’re predicting,” Daniels told Patch Monday evening from his home.

Patch will update this story as more information becomes available. 

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Fairfax County's Emergency blog just posted the following information: 

Residents who live on these roads in the Huntington area of the county MUST evacuate their homes immediately:

• Fenwick Drive
• Arlington Terrace

For public safety, power will be turned off as necessary on these two streets, so it is essential that you leave now. 

Please move your cars to higher ground.

Connector buses will be available at 2400 Huntington Ave., if you need transportation to the shelter at the Lee District RECenter, 6601 Telegraph Road, Alexandria.  The buses are wheelchair accessible and will accept companion animals(cats and dogs). Dogs must be on leashes and cats in carriers.

When you are evacuating, please bring:

• A three-day supply of special items for any older adults, people with disabilities or infant members of your household, including assistive equipment.
• Special diet food, esp. if you have food restrictions/allergies.
• Change of clothing for each family member.

Pets – Animal Control will have a mobile van to shelter companion animals (cats and dogs) affected by the evacuation at the Lee District RECenter, 6601 Telegraph Road.  Do not bring the pet’s toys and food. Dogs must be on a leash and cats must be in a carrier.

Travel Safely: Turn around, don’t drown – Never drive through standing water on a roadway — turn around, don’t drown. Water may be much deeper than you think.

Once you are in a safe location, let a family member or friend know your whereabouts.

For additional information or questions, call the emergency hotline at 571-350-1300, TTY 711.

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At 5:35 p.m., the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System had Cameron Run in Alexandria at 5 feet.

There is a $30 million bond referendum on the Fairfax County ballot Nov. 6 that would pay for funding of flood protection in Huntington.  

Click here for complete coverage of Hurricane Sandy in the Huntington community.

See also: 
Huntington Residents Keep Each Other Informed During Hurricane Sandy 
Huntington Community Prepares for Hurricane Sandy
Police Pass Out Hurricane Sandy Flyers in Flood-Prone Huntington

Also in the area: 
Belle Haven Boaters Prepare for Hurricane Sandy
Historic Mount Vernon Prepares for Hurricane Sandy