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Two roads in Prince Edward County remain closed, one week after Tropical Storm Debby visited the area. And according to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT), it’s going to be at least a few more weeks before those roads reopen. 

“The biggest damage that we had occurred on Sulfur Springs Road (Route 657),” said VDOT engineer Scott Frederick. “A culvert was washed out.” 

Speaking to Prince Edward County supervisors during their Tuesday, Aug. 13 meeting, Frederick said VDOT mobilized a contractor on Saturday to start repairs in the area. But to do that will mean more than just replacing the culvert and backfilling. The road has to be built back and the guardrail reinstalled. 

“Sometimes you look at something and say, oh, well the culvert wasn’t damaged, it just needs to be backfilled,” Frederick said, adding this was not one of those times. He said there’s a lot that needs to be repaired. Frederick estimated it’ll take a couple weeks to finish repairs to the culvert on Sulfur Springs, then a couple weeks to build the road back. 

“We’re saying (it’ll) be done in two months,” Frederick said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do there.” 

Also under repair is Route 609, which remains closed around the bridge. 

“There was some damage to the railing in one little spot in the bridge deck that they need to repair,” Frederick said. “They’re (also) still working to get a bunch of debris out from underneath the bridge. I think we have a few more days before we open that one back up.” 

In general across Prince Edward County, Frederick said VDOT crews are still removing tree debris in places. It’ll likely be the end of this week at least before they finish with that project. 

Tropical Storm Debby was hard to predict

Frederick said VDOT was prepared, but sometimes a storm like that is hard to predict. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecasted that the Appomattox River would crest at 16.5 feet, he pointed out. That was the data other government groups, like the Town of Farmville, used as well. Instead, it reached 21.9 feet before cresting and flooding the area. 

The shoulder on Route 634 got washed out as a result. That’s since been repaired and replaced.

Another unexpected result of the storm was how it seemed to trigger grass to grow in certain places. Frederick said VDOT has been fielding a number of grass complaints this week and they’re working to get those addressed as well. 

“After we came out of the drought, it seemed like the rain was ready to grow,” Frederick said. “Now we’re getting (heavy) rain and the Johnson grass especially has jumped up. We’re trying to get through the secondary (roads) right now and do what we call a safety cut.” 

That’s where you just make one pass and get everything cut back to help with sight distance in the straightaway roads. VDOT will also be trimming grass back at intersections, so it’s not blocking vision there either.