UPDATE: Heavy Rain, Leaves Left for Pickup Could Cause Flooding

UPDATE: The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Warning for the area, including Fairfax County, until 8 p.m. 

A Flood Warning means flooding is imminent or has been reported. Rainfall on already saturated grounds will cause streams and creeks to rise. Rainfall of 1 to 1.5 inches is expected.

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The Northern Virginia area has already seen 1.38 inches of rain Wednesday morning, breaking records set back in 1971, according to ABC7's Brian van de Graaf.

The rest of the day is expected to bring lighter showers, and the day's heaviest rain is still to come beginning about rush hour with possible flooding, warns ABC7 Senior Meteorologist Bob Ryan.

An added snarl to the heavy rain: Any mounds of leaves left out for pickup could block storm drains and some streets could see a bigger chance of flooding. Fairfax County is currently in the middle of its leaf pickup schedule.

According to Irene Haske, public information officer for the Fairfax County Stormwater Management Program:

“Residents may clear debris away from the opening of a storm drain but they should not enter the facility under any circumstances. Debris would include leaves, yard clippings, trash, snow and ice. Clearing storm drains allows water from the street to drain away from homes and yards. If any material blocks a storm drain and a resident needs assistance, or if something of value falls into a storm drain and must be retrieved, call the maintenance and stormwater management division at 703-877-2800 TTY 711. If a person or animal falls into a storm drain, call 911 immediately.”

Property owners are responsible for:

• routine grounds maintenance such as grass mowing and trash/debris removal—owners should ensure that systems and structures are kept free of yard waste (grass clippings, tree trimmings, leaves) or other obstructions that may block the flow of water
• trees, shrubs and other growth within easements
• driveways and their associated culverts or bridges

Fairfax County residents experiencing flooding during regular business hours (Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.), should call the Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division at (703) 877-2800, TTY 711.

For after-hours storm flooding emergencies that are not life-threatening, residents should call the county's 24-hour Trouble Response Center at (703) 323-1211 or (703) 239-8444, TTY 711, and state that you are reporting a storm sewer emergency.

For life-threatening emergencies, call 9-1-1.

Water drainage in your neighborhood could be the responsibility of the homeowner, the homeowner association, the county or the state. 

Storm Drainage Maintenance

• For maintenance of county storm drains, assistance in determining who maintains a storm drain, and questions about storm drainage easements, use the Storm Drainage Problem Report Form or call the Maintenance & Stormwater Management Division at (703) 877-2800, TTY 711.
• For maintenance of systems in public street rights-of-way (roadside ditches, curb inlets, pipes under the roadway), call the Virginia Department of Transportation at 1-800-FOR-ROAD (367-7623), TTY 711.  Driveway culverts (pipes under driveways that connect the storm drain system on either side) are not part of the public system; they are the property owner's responsibility.
• Private drainage systems (e.g., driveway culverts/bridges, downspouts, etc.) and ground water are the property owner's responsibility. Drainage directed from gutters, downspouts or other private systems to neighboring properties is a civil matter between the property owners.