ALEXANDRIA, Va. (CBSDC) - When Hurricane Sandy made landfall in New Jersey Tuesday evening, most of Washington’s low-lying areas were spared of flooding, but that wasn’t the case for Old Town Alexandria, which is still under water.

It was an eerie scene at the corner of King and Union Street in Alexandria on Wednesday evening, with water still deep enough in the streets for cars to be replaced by canoes.

Even more troubling than street lamps illuminating the cobblestone roads covered by layers of the neighboring Potomac is that there’s no telling when flooding will subside – with a possibility the problem gets worse before it gets better.

Waters continued to rise on the streets of Old Town through nightfall one day after Sandy. (Credit: WNEW reporter George Mesthos)

Residents are hoping for the best now that high tide has come and gone. Water levels rose slightly after 9:00 p.m. Wednesday but the town now has hours to drain before the morning tide brings the next threat.

A usually financially prosperous downtown area has come unhinged, with many business electing to keep their doors closed until they can ensure dry feet for their customers.

The City of Alexandria has posted a coastal flood watch that lasts until 8:00 a.m. Thursday, but the National Weather service issued a conflicting flood watch for the area which doesn’t end until 2:00 p.m. on Friday.

Follow WNEW reporter George Mesthos on Twitter for the latest.

Waters still rising in Old Town at 4:30 the day after Hurricane Sandy. (Credit: WNEW reporter George Mesthos)