Despite heavy rains, flooding and tornado watches issued up and down the East Coast yesterday, Tropical Depression Frances has moved out of the state and is expected to reach Canada by tomorrow.
According to the National Weather Service Web site, Frances is moving on a north-northeast path at 15 miles per hour.
Environmental Sciences Prof. Robert E. Davis said it is rare for tropical storms to intensify over land since their energy source is warm waters. Davis added that Frances will continue to weaken as it heads north over the next few days.
The NWS issued a flood watch for Albemarle County through this afternoon, and rainfall is expected to reach up to four inches.
The storm inflicted minimal damage in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area, according to Kaye Harden, coordinator for emergency management in Charlottesville.
There were a few minor vehicle accidents and no major flooding problems on the roads, Harden said.
Although some students may have had wet feet for the majority of the day yesterday, the University took precautions to make it safer for students to get around in heavy rain.
"We have solved many of the historic drainage problems over the last five years," Director of Facilities Operations Chris Willis said, adding that the University has built new storm drain collection and retention ponds, which hold water and delay its release.
Willis added that the University can do little to prevent puddles from forming on sidewalks.
When there is a "flat spot of pavement, water does not flow off completely," he said.
First-year College student Brittaney Oxendine said the rain makes her "sleepy in class and less likely to do homework."
Meteorologists now will turn their attention away from Hurricanes Frances and focus on Hurricane Ivan, which is expected to hit the United States Monday, according to the NWS Web site.
The official end to hurricane season is November, but hurricanes can, and have, hit any month, according to Davis.
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