Businesses Brace for Flooding as Alexandria Prepares for Infrastructure Fixes

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — With rain forecasted for later this week, businesses in Old Town Alexandria are preparing for potential flooding. The city is actively working on a project aimed at addressing the ongoing flooding issues that have plagued the area.

This morning, officials held a meeting at Alexandria City Hall at 7:30 a.m. to provide updates on the project and what residents and business owners can expect in the coming months.

Flooding in Old Town has become a regular occurrence, with incidents spiking every time heavy rain falls. Streets frequently end up closed, as crews rush to clear debris and pump water from roads in response.

Officials noted that Alexandria’s infrastructure dates back to the 18th century. This historic system struggles to cope with modern weather patterns, leading to over 60 incidents of river backflow each year, more than 30 occurrences of bulkhead over-topping, and over 10 times a year when storm sewers are overwhelmed.

Currently, the city is in the design phase of the flood prevention project. However, many local business owners are expressing concerns that upcoming construction may disrupt their operations.

City officials have planned several public meetings to allow community members to voice their opinions and gather more information about the project’s impact.