Alexandria prepares for potential impacts from Tropical Storm Debby

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Just a block from the water in Old Town, Alexandria, a street performer played the guitar. It was business as usual along King Street for diners, as business owners quietly laid down sandbags.

"I'm not concerned, but I want to keep my basement dry," said Bill Criger Wednesday night.

He was in the midst of picking up free sandbags from the City of Alexandria on South Quaker Lane Wednesday.

"I live at the bottom of a hill near King Street and a lot of rain comes down," he explained.

A little more than two miles away, in the heart of Old Town, Alexandria, sandbags were laid out next to many of the businesses.

"Ducks are swimming on Prince Street and you'll see a few kayaks down on King so it definitely gets, it's tidal, it's been like that forever, I'm so used to it," explained Bennett Moore.

He's the manager of Big Wheel Bikes. He told WUSA9 they see flooding pretty regularly. Although he wasn't concerned about Tropical Storm Debby, he also didn't dismiss the possibility that it could cause some serious issues in the area.

"I learned to take hurricanes seriously," he explained.

He showed WUSA9 the water line from Hurricane Isabelle in 2003.

The storm caused major flooding and damage to the area.

He told WUSA9 that was the worst damage they sustained, but it taught them a lesson. To always prepare for the worst, and hope for the best.

The City of Alexandria urged residents and businesses Wednesday, to prepare for the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby, that cause coastal flooding.

In anticipation of several days of heavy rain, the City provided free sandbags on Wednesday and planned to provide them again on Thursday, August 8. 

The sandbags will be available on Thursday at 133 South Quaker Lane from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Sandbags will be available on a first-come, first-served basis, with a limit of five per address. Proof of residency or business in Alexandria is required. Click here to review the Guidance for Proper Use of Sandbags.