Two barges have now stopped in the Potomac River after breaking away this weekend and making their way down the stormy waters of West Virginia, authorities say.
The first “construction barge carrying a Caterpillar excavator and other equipment” broke off on Saturday night, followed by another barge on Sunday afternoon, said Christiana Hanson, a spokeswoman for Chesapeake National Historic Park and Ohio Canal.
Authorities say barges that sailed down the river to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, have since stopped moving.
Never a routine day in #Loudoun. The LCSO is co-ordinating with MD authorities after two barges loosened in the Potomac River and there were fears that they could affect bridges in the area. By this time, the barges were no longer moving down the river and remained stationary in the Harpers Ferry area. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/nIwMQWQw4k
– Sheriff of Loudoun County (@LoudounSheriff) May 8, 2022
“The larger barge is currently being held in place of the remains of Dam 3, and the smaller of the two barges has been caught under Dam 4,” Hanson said. “Performers are watching to make sure they stay put.”
To stop the barges, the crews dropped their pontoons so that they weighed more than their vessels, and secured them in place with ropes for extra support, Hanson said.
While at the scene, CNBC photojournalist Van Applegate told News4 that the floods probably cleared one of the barges.
Dozens of people gathered to watch the barge make its way down the river through stormy waters.
“The water level has risen almost six feet in the last 24 hours, so it probably broke the support line it was connected to,” he said. “[The barge] it meandered across the Potomac River up and down these S curves … [it] ping pong has reached that level. “
The crews lit the barges so they could watch them at night. They feel confident they will be able to pull them ashore once the water level recedes, Hanson added.
Although there were fears that barges could collide with bridges in the area and some were temporarily closed, those between Ludown County and Maryland remain open, the Ludown County Sheriff’s Office said.
Recent torrential rains have raised water levels in some rivers in the area and led to flood warnings and hours in several counties. Here is a list of warnings for severe weather conditions.
Add Comment