Petersburg family left homeless after flooding leaves their house ‘unlivable’

Jul 16, 2025 - 21:25

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Petersburg family left homeless after flooding leaves their house ‘unlivable’

PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) -- After going to bed on a stormy Monday night, Danielle Graves and her family woke again to a life-changing tragedy.

“My son ran in[to] the room. He told us that the house was flooding, he was screaming, he woke everyone up saying the house was flooded," Graves said. "So when I put my feet down, I realize I'm in water. I walked to my bedroom window and look[ed] out the window. The water was to my windowsill.”

Flooding around a Petersburg home following severe storms the week of Sunday, July 13. (Photo: Danielle Graves)

A Petersburg home damaged by flooding during severe storms the week of Sunday, July 13. (Photo: Drew Covington/8News)

While many parts of Petersburg experienced flooding during Monday, July 14, storms, flooding at Graves' home has now left her, her fiancé and her three children without a place to live.

A creek behind the home filled with water during the rainfall, rising to the windowsills of the front of the house and filling the inside with water.

Floodwaters inside a Petersburg home following storms the week of Sunday, July 13. (Video: Danielle Graves)

Graves said she called 911 multiple times, but she and her family were able to escape on their own.

8News asked Petersburg police and fire about Graves' 911 calls, and we are waiting to learn more.

Graves said her vehicle and much of their belongings were destroyed by the flooding. Anything that was not hanging in a closet or on a high shelf was submerged in water.

PHOTOS: Central Virginia washed out by heavy flooding as severe storms continue

8News went inside the home, where dressers and appliances lay toppled by the water. A couch that was outside the home was carried feet away by the floods.

Graves and her family were able to receive temporary assistance from Red Cross to pay for temporary shelter.

"Looking back, and after seeing my house after, I'm just glad we're alive," Graves said. "I didn't know water could be that strong."

Graves has started a GoFundMe to help with the costs of finding a new home and vehicle for her family.