Ground water levels continue to fall

Graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

Recent monitoring shows groundwater levels in the Shenandoah Valley continue to fall, raising concerns for residents, farmers, and water users across the region.

Despite snow and sleet from Winter Storm Fern, groundwater hasn’t seen a significant rebound, and water tables remain lower than expected for this time of year.

The US Geological Survey reports say the storm’s moisture hasn’t yet made its way into the aquifer below.

This follows earlier reports that groundwater had dropped several feet, placing levels near some of the lowest in more than a decade and impacting stream flows across the valley.

Officials remind residents that continued monitoring and water conservation efforts will be important as conditions evolve.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

Forest Restoration Program

Virginia Department of Forestry used by permission from VDF Communication Specialist Cory Swift-Turner

In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Virginia’s forests have suffered extensive
damage.

The Virginia Department of Forestry has partnered with state and federal
agencies to provide support to affected landowners.

One of the key resources available is the Emergency Forest Restoration Program, which offers cost-sharing for forest restoration efforts.

If your forestland was impacted by the storm, reach out to your local forester for more information on the resources available to help you recover.

For further details, visit this link.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here

As a flood warning persist additional school information has been released

A flood warning remains in effect for the entire Shenandoah Valley according to the National Weather Service.

Page County schools announced their closure earlier today October 1.

All afternoon and evening activities are cancelled and facilities are closed in Page County.

Warren County Public Schools have announced early dismissal out of an abundance of caution.

Due the flood warning schools are concerned about rising water and bus routes.

All Warren County Elementary Schools will dismiss at 12:30 p.m.

All Warren County Middle and High Schools will dismiss at 1:30 p.m.

All after school activities are cancelled in Warren County.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Water rescues occurred across the valley over the weekend

The flooding caused by Helene kept fire fighters and rescue workers across the region busy working water rescue the weekend of September of the 27.

Page County reports a swift water rescuers brought 14 people off the Shenandoah River.

That first incident left 13 campers stranded on a small island off Alger Road Rileyville.

The campers were between a backwash which became filled with swift water that was continuing to rise.

All those campers were rescued and taken to safety by power boats operated by swift water rescue teams.

Luray Fire and Rescue reports that they took a call involving a camper trapped near River Water Drive.

Boat 70 was able to take that stranded camper to safety.

At approximately 5:30 p.m. another call for help came from the Page Valley area.

On arrival crews found a man trapped in his vehicle by rising water.

A paddle craft was successfully able to take that man to safety.

In those instances, Luray, Page, and Shenandoah crews assisted in each incident.

Warren County Fire and Rescue reports 3 separate water rescue with more details to come.

There were some attempting to kayak the swollen Shenandoah River.

Authorities are strongly discouraging any kind of river activity as the Shenandoah River will continue to rise in the immediate future.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

FEMA is approved to assist Virginia in Helene recovery

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has been approved by President Biden to assist Virginia in recovery from Helene.

This means that federal funding has become available to the state and certain nonprofits organizations on a cost sharing basis for emergency in the hardest hit areas.

Direct assistance is available for Grayson, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wyth Counties and the City of Galax.

Governor Youngkin visited Damascus in Southwest Virginia September 29 to assess the storm damage caused by Hurricane Helene and emphasized the Commonwealth’s commitment to supporting the affected communities in their recovery efforts.

Over 50 swift water crews were deployed with helicopter air support and able to help stranded people in Washington County in the city of Damascus where substantial flooding was recorded particularly at Radford University.

A Virginia State Police helicopter was dispatched to assist at least 50 people on the roof of a hospital in Tennessee.

In Virginia one fatality occurred in Craig County when a tree fell causing a building collapse.

Five counties including Augusta were under voluntary evacuation recommendations during the brunt of the storm.

Governor Youngkin said the recovery from this storm is going to take some time.

He also commended the efforts of all first responders in answering the call.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Weather alerts and school information for Shenandoah Valley

lightning

Refresh this page each time you open it to ensure you receive the most up to date information.

Page County Schools and Offices are are closed today September 30.

Road conditions are being monitored in Page County should any adjust have to be made Page County Public Schools will make an announcement.

A flood watch is in effect this week for the Shenandoah Valley with flash flooding possible according to the National Weather Service.

REC storm prep information

Rappahannock Electric (REC) issues a reminder that the National Weather Service predicts heavy rain, with the potential for severe storms, and powerful winds from late Saturday through early Monday.

REC is prepared to respond to any power outages, and urge you to prepare now, as well.

Bookmark the Outage Map on your mobile device: https://outagemap.myrec.coop/

Make sure your Outage Kit is stocked: https://myrec.coop/stormprep

Bookmark REC’s Outage Center.

You can track outage restoration and report an outage using your smart phone: https://www.myrec.coop/outagecenter

If you lose power, *please do not report your outage on social media*.

Instead, to ensure we have your outage logged, please use your smart phone to report your outage online:

https://www.myrec.coop/out

Take Advantage of IMPROVED Outage Text Alerts.

You can now report an outage through a text message and can also text key words such as STATUS to get the latest on an outage impacting your home or business.

Learn more: https://myrec.coop/outage-text-alerts

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

SVEC restore power

svec

An email from Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative (SVEC) reports that only about 19 members lost power in yesterday’s storm.

If you are still without power SVEC assures members that it will be restored today as crews deal with the weather as best and safely as they can.

Often the type of snow can make all the differences when it comes to power loss.

The heavy type of wet snow lays heavy on lines and tree limbs which can often cause an outage.

A lighter snow like last night causes less damage but the ice will cause concern especially when it comes to repair.

Anyone without power should always report it at SVEC.coop.

You can also connect easily to SVEC with the MySVEC app now available.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Gov. Northam declares a state of emergency ahead of Sun. 1/16 storm

An email from Gov. Northam confirms a state of emergency has been declared ahead of this Sun. Jan 16 storm.

Emergency services, Virginia State Police, Power Providers have all confirmed by email and social post that they are fully prepared for the impending storm.

The winter storm watch is posted for Sunday afternoon into Monday morning with 6 to 12 inches possible by Monday morning’s Jan. 17’s Federal Holiday.

The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) has confirmed in a social post that they have already begun pre-treating the roads.

Motorist are asked not to travel especially during the heaviest snow fall likely Sunday afternoon Jan. 16 unless absolutely necessary.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here. 

National Weather Service investigates possible tornado

lightning

The National Weather Service is investigating to confirm if it was a tornado that touched down in Jefferson County West Virginia last night.

The powerful storm raced across Jefferson County last night around 7 p.m..

The storm caused damage and injured one person at the Universal Forest Products facility in Ranson West Virginia.

The possible tornado also damaged a home in Jefferson County.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.