In the wake of Tropical Storm Gaston, which unexpectedly dumped 14 inches of rain on Richmond last week, state and local officials are taking precautionary measures in anticipation of the arrival of Tropical Storm Frances.
The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Albemarle County yesterday morning and predicted that the remnants of Frances would progress northeast into the mid-Atlantic states and impact the Charlottesville area through tomorrow.
According to the NWS Web site, rainfall from the system could be significant across the region and could amount to as much as four inches.
Dawn Eischen, spokesperson for the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, said state officials issued a warning Monday to area residents to prepare for potentially bad weather as Frances makes its way up the coast.
"Just a couple of days ago we were all thinking Frances was going to hit Kentucky and Tennessee," she said. "We didn't think it was going to be an issue."
After Richmond was hit with 14 inches of rain when forecasters were calling for a mere four, officials are not taking any chances with Frances, Eischen said.
"We're hoping that this system doesn't do the same, but you never know," she added.
Residents were advised to move all valuable items -- namely vehicles -- to higher grounds.
In addition, people living in low-lying areas were advised to be aware of flash flooding.
"The worst thing you can try to do is drive through flood water," Eischen said, adding that eight people died from driving through high water during Gaston last week.
Kaye Harden, coordinator of emergency management for Charlottesville, said the City is heeding the state's warning despite the low-levels of rain predicted and the unlikelihood of high winds.
"We don't expect it to be a significant event," he said, but cautioned people to watch out for low-lying areas and refrain from driving through water.
Environmental Sciences Prof. Robert E. Davis said Frances is a "fairly well-behaved storm" that has been losing much of its intensity after traveling over land for the past few days.
University officials are gearing up for Frances as well. According to Director of Facilities Operations Chris Willis, Facilities Management started preparing for Frances last week. Grounds crews went through their typical series of preparations such as checking for drainage impediments, inspecting roofs and checking supplies of rain and other emergency equipment.
"We work with the University to make sure that we're coordinated with their plans," Willis said, adding that Facilities Management is available to support anything that housing or dining services might need in case of emergency.
Willis said students can never be too careful when dealing with tropical storms and hurricanes.
"One of the biggest problems we saw during [Hurricane] Isabel was that a lot of students did not pay enough heed to the hazards of a storm like that," he said.
Willis said many students go outside immediately after the storm ends to survey the damage, but this can be the riskiest time.
"One thing they could do is stay put and make sure that the rescue people can work without worry of getting someone hurt," he said.
Willis emphasized, however, that all of the preparations are in anticipation of a worst-case scenario.
"Mother nature will do that once in awhile," he said. "You want to be prepared for the worst without being too alarmed or excited."
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