[NEMDF]

If someone had a trip planned to, say, Virginia... to arrive in Richmond Saturday afternoon and be in the state until Friday, 9/21.... What is the best advice? Wait to decide? Cancel now? Go and risk it?

[Altura Ct.]

I don’t have a crystal ball but if the current track and intensity holds and it was me I wouldn’t want to be coming into Richmond on Saturday.

[L,TOWM]

If you are flying into Richmond, that Saturday flight may be cancelled or severely delayed.

If you are driving, make sure you got a good set of tires and wipers; hopefully on a low profile vehicle...

[Smittie]

You don’t want to be anywhere near one of these things. And afterwards it will take a few weeks to resemble normalcy.

[topher]

I believe the storm has the potential for having over 10 inches of rain there and the potential for 60 mph to almost 90 mph winds - according to NHC maps.

My rule would be:

Necessary business trip - go.

Unnecessary business trip - postpone.

A trip for pleasure - cancel.

Map of potential wind forecast:

[grania]

If I were in your situation, I’d decide it’s a nice time to visit some place like KY or WV. Keep in mind that nearby area to the storm that don’t get hit will have disruptions.

[Cooter]

If you have a hotel room reserved, give it up for potential evacuees.

[C19fan]

The last time a storm hit Richmond was Irene in 2011. Lot of people lost power due to felled trees destroying overhead utilities. Some people did not have power restored until a week after the storm.

[oldvirginian]

Just heard the power companies are preparing for massive power outages. Two weeks or more in places.
Best to cancel and salvage what you can.

[Romulus]

It depends on what part of Richmond. The James is going to flood badly, and tributary creeks will back up. It’s likely that power will be down in many places. Some roads and bridges are likely to be washout out/closed. Gas may be difficult to obtain. I would reschedule my trip, or at least wait till the storm passes to assess the situation.

[PapaBear3625]

If someone had a trip planned to, say, Virginia... to arrive in Richmond Saturday afternoon and be in the state until Friday, 9/21.... What is the best advice? Wait to decide? Cancel now? Go and risk it?

I would say "wait to decide". By Friday morning you will know what the impact to Richmond will be. Call up and ask people at your destination what things are like then.