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Weather Forecast Office Wakefield, VA

Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center

Small Craft Advisory

Hydrograph

River at a Glance

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James River (VA) at Sewell's Point (IN MLLW)

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About this graph

Tabular Data (UTC)

Tabular Data (EDT)

Datum: Not Available

Metadata

NOTE: Tide Forecasts are a total water level forecast referenced to mean lower low water. Please refer to Coastal Flood Advisories and Warnings for official water level forecasts during periods of coastal flooding. During tropical cyclones, please refer here for additional storm surge information.

NOTE: Please click here for Coastal Flooding Thresholds definitions.

NOTE: Forecasts for the James River (VA) at Sewell's Point (IN MLLW) are issued routinely year-round.

Vertical Datum references a tidal datum (MLLW)...for more information see Tides and Currents .

Return to Area Map

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	6.5
Moderate Flood Stage:	5.5
Flood Stage:	4.5
Action Stage:	4
Low Stage (in feet):	-1

Historic Crests
(1) 8.02 ft on 08/23/1933
(2) 7.89 ft on 09/18/2003
(3) 7.74 ft on 11/12/2009
(4) 7.55 ft on 08/27/2011
(5) 7.22 ft on 03/07/1962
(6) 6.81 ft on 10/29/2012
(7) 6.72 ft on 09/18/1936
(8) 6.63 ft on 11/22/2006
(9) 6.58 ft on 02/05/1998
(10) 6.52 ft on 10/07/2006
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 5.35 ft on 11/17/2019 (P)
(2) 4.60 ft on 10/28/2019 (P)
(3) 5.23 ft on 10/12/2019 (P)
(4) 5.38 ft on 10/11/2019 (P)
(5) 5.33 ft on 10/11/2019 (P)
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) -3.00 ft on 01/31/1996

For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov.

Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers

Zoom Level:15

	Gauge Location	Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.

Flood Impacts & Photos

If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
6.5	Severe flooding will cause extensive inundation and flooding of numerous roads and buildings resulting in a significant threat to property and life. Water will be 2 to 3 feet or more above ground level in some areas. Severe flooding will extend inland from the waterfront and shoreline flooding homes, businesses and isolating some neighborhoods. Numerous roads will be impassable under several feet of water and cars submerged. Some areas will need to be evacuated.
5.5	Widespread flooding of vulnerable areas will result in an elevated threat of property damage to homes and businesses near the waterfront and shoreline. Water will be 1 to 2 feet above ground level in some areas resulting in a sufficient depth to close numerous roads and threaten homes and businesses. Flooding will extend inland from the waterfront along tidal rivers and bays resulting in some road closures and flooding of vehicles.
4.5	Shallow flooding is expected in the most vulnerable locations near the waterfront and shoreline resulting in a low threat of property damage. Expect up to one foot of water above ground level in low lying, vulnerable areas. Some roads and low lying property including parking lots, parks and lawns near the waterfront will experience shallow flooding.

About This Location

Latitude: 36.946667° N, Longitude: 76.330000° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	4.5 ft	Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum	Elevation (gauge height = 0)	Elevation (gauge height = flood stage)	Elevation information source
NAVD88	-1.61	2.89	Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29	-0.80	3.70	Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL	-1.36	3.14	Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other	Not Available	Not Available

Additional Information

Hydromet Outlook

24 Hour Hydrometerological

Outlook Link to Graphic

Hydro Forecast Discussion

Significant Flood Outlook

Significant River Flood Outlook Link to Graphic

Flash Flood Guidance

Additional Water and Weather Topics from the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center (MARFC):
MARFC Home Page, Current Hazards, Current Conditions James River, Current Conditions Appomattox River,
Water Resources, Observed precipitation, Radar, Tropical Weather, Climate,
Flood History, About the MARFC, Contact Us

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Hydrologic Resources

Additional Resources

Collaborative Agencies

The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.

NWS Information

National Weather Service
Wakefield Weather Forecast Office
10009 General Mahone Hwy
Wakefield, VA 23888
(757) 899-4200
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Page last modified: 1-Mar-2019 12:35 AM

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