STATEWIDE — Gov. Ralph Northam declared a state of emergency on Tuesday, Aug. 31 in response to Tropical Depression Ida’s impending arrival.
Ida is expected to bring heavy rains and flooding along the I-81 and I-66 corridors.
Areas in the southwest region have already began experiencing heavy rainfall in recent days, leading to flash flooding, with severe weather expected to continue as remnants from Tropical Depression Ida arrive in Virginia.
There is also a risk of tornadoes across the state starting late Tuesday night into Wednesday.
“My thoughts are with those across the country impacted by this devastating storm,” Gov. Northam said. “While we’re fortunate in Virginia to have avoided the hurricane itself, heavy rainfall is expected to cause additional flash flooding and dangerous conditions in portions of the Commonwealth.”
The state of emergency allows Virginia to prepare resources and deploy people to assist in response and recovery efforts.
“I’m grateful to the first responders and rescue crews currently on the ground, and I urge Virginians in these regions to stay alert,” Gov. Northam added.
Ida was downgraded from a Category 4 hurricane to a tropical storm on Monday, leaving more than a million people without power in Louisiana and Mississippi.
WYDaily will continue to keep you up-to-date as more information becomes available.
