Petersburg residents forced from homes, city declares state of emergency after severe flooding
VENN
PETERSBURG, Va. (WRIC) — The city of Petersburg is under a state of emergency on Tuesday after high floodwaters swept through neighborhoods overnight, leaving residents to deal with the aftermath.
Flooding hit areas like McKeever Street especially hard. Several neighbors have left their homes behind, after they said the damage was just too severe to stay.
“Everything is just messed up,” said Mr. O. Blizzard, whose home was left caked in mud.
He described wading through floodwaters that rose to his waist after heavy rain sent water rushing into his home.
Across the street, Shelly Harris said it looked like a river outside. She and her neighbors went door to door trying to get people to move their cars to higher ground as the water quickly rose.
Flooding in Petersburg on July 14. (Photo: Shanita Prosise)
Car in floodwater on Bollingbrook Road in Petersburg in the early morning on Tuesday, July 15 (Photo: Howard Williams/8News)
Flooding in Petersburg on July 14. (Photo: Shanita Prosise)
Flooding in Petersburg on July 14. (Photo: Shanita Prosise)
Flooding in Petersburg on July 14. (Photo: Shanita Prosise)
Flooding seen on Boydton Plank Road in Petersburg on July 15. (Photo: Howard Williams/8News)
Flooding seen on Wythe Street in Petersburg on July 15. (Photo: Howard Williams/8News)
Nearly 24 hours after the flooding, the ground in many parts of Petersburg remained saturated — a growing concern for residents.
“It’s so wet here, and we get a good little breeze come in and these trees start falling … we’re talking about people losing their homes,” Harris said.
Earlier on Tuesday, July 15, Petersburg Mayor Sam Parham addressed the city and declared a state of emergency. He said the severe flooding stemmed, in part, from the city’s aging water infrastructure.
“What we are seeing now are definitely the horrific effects of the many decades of neglect of Petersburg not being able to get the necessary funding to dredge the Appomattox River,” Parham said.
Parham said he planned to seek funding from both public and private partners. He also confirmed that the city would be receiving resources from Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
In the meantime, many residents are left to clean up a muddy mess and brace for the possibility of more flooding.
“I don’t think I can stay in this again,” Blizzard said. “I don’t think I can take this again.”
City officials are working to assess the full extent of the damage. Residents are asked to email reports and photos of storm damage to em@petersburg-va.org.
