ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Hurricane Joaquin may end up missing the eastern seaboard, but there is still a concern for flooding across the D.C. metro area because of a coastal nor’easter dumping lots of rain across the region.
Businesses have already begun preparing for possible flooding in Old Town Alexandria. A Starbucks on the corner of King and Union Streets had bags of sand lined up across the front of the store early Friday morning, as customers streamed in and out to get their morning coffee.
The National Weather Service expects the Potomac River high tide to reach 4.43 feet at 1 a.m. Saturday, causing minor coastal flooding.
“Being prepared for an emergency — before one strikes — is the best thing you can do to protect your family or your business,” warned City Manager Mark Jinks.
“That means having three days of food, water, and medicine available and making a plan for what to do if you can’t travel safely. Even if we don’t get all the weather the forecast says is possible for a given storm, it’s always best to be prepared.”
Residents will be able to get up to five free sandbags from the City of Alexandria Friday from from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at King and Lee streets, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. at 133 S. Quaker Lane.
Residents must show proof of residence or business ownership to receive the bags and return the bags after the storm.
