Flood warnings for entire D.C. area as torrents of rain stream north
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Version 0 of 1. Heavy rain leads to road closures, accidents on slick streets | Flood photo gallery | List: Virginia closed roads | Fairfax County road closures | Montgomery County roads that commonly flood Overview: A deep plume of tropical moisture from the Gulf of Mexico is surging up the East Coast with a stream of moderate to very heavy rain. Flood warnings and flash flood warnings are in effect through this afternoon and evening. Two to five inches of rain have fallen from this storm system already, and another inch or so is possible through tonight. Streams are overflowing their banks and flooding is also possible in low lying and urban areas. Storm total rainfall is likely to reach 2.5-6 inches by Thursday morning, with locally heavier amounts possible. In addition to the flooding, there is a slight risk of severe thunderstorms that could produce damaging winds, hail, and a few tornadoes, especially in the southern part of the region. The most likely timeframe for possible severe storms is 6-11 p.m. Along the Tidal Potomac and Chesapeake Bay, coastal flood warnings and advisories are in effect as southerly flow pushes tidal levels about one and a half to two feet above normal. In the District (at Washington Channel in Georgetown), high tide is at 10:04 p.m. tonight. 4:45 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm and tornado warning is in effect for parts of Southern Maryland (Charles, Calvert and St. Mary’s County). Our post on the severe weather threat this evening has the latest. See: Risk of severe weather, tornadoes focused south and east of Washington this evening This is our last update in this post. We expect additional heavy rain and possible thunderstorms this evening, and more flooding is possible. For the latest, see our PM Update: Flood warnings through this evening, outside chance of severe storms; nicer Thursday 4:05 p.m.: Doppler radar shows widespread 2-5 inch rainfall totals across the metro region (and it’s not over). The heaviest amounts are focused west and north of the District, with the bulls-eye in northeast Montgomery and central Howard counties. Even though the rain has diminished west of I-95, standing water is still a problem for the late afternoon commute. The next surge of rain arrives between 5 and 6 p.m. This is dangerous… My friend @notstilettoshy commute on the Clara Barton Pkwy!! @WNEW @fox5newsdc thx J’aime–be careful pic.twitter.com/LKyD55HN52— Julie Wright (@thejuliewright) April 30, 2014 My friend @notstilettoshy commute on the Clara Barton Pkwy!! @WNEW @fox5newsdc thx J’aime–be careful pic.twitter.com/LKyD55HN52 3:45 p.m.: Radar shows the rain train has shifted just east of I-95, giving areas along and west of I-95 in the metro region a much-needed lull in the precipitation. I’m not convinced it will last long as more heavy storms are developing in central Virginia which could streak back into the region after 5 p.m. Areas east of I-95 look to get hammered by training showers and storms (i.e. rain that tracks over the same areas repeatedly) for the next couple of hours. 1-2 inches of rain could fall in a short time and a flash flood warning is in effect for southeast Montgomery, northern Prince George’s, western Anne Arundel, and southeast Howard counties through 6 p.m. 3:30 p.m.: Flooding is ongoing and we have a report of yet another high water rescue, this time in Chevy Chase, Md. on the I-495 underpass at 9550 Cedar Lane. TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN. Additional reports, via Twitter: #BETHESDA- @WTOPtraffic OB River Rd just after Whittier-very high water- traffic still gets by #dctraffic #mdtraffic pic.twitter.com/K7XqALnr7z— Finn Neilsen (@wtopFinn) April 30, 2014 #BETHESDA- @WTOPtraffic OB River Rd just after Whittier-very high water- traffic still gets by #dctraffic #mdtraffic pic.twitter.com/K7XqALnr7z Think you could get a kayak down Rock Creek today without much issue, except maybe bridge clearance. @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/h5CtLGl5hN— Jordan Whichard (@JordanWhichard) April 30, 2014 Think you could get a kayak down Rock Creek today without much issue, except maybe bridge clearance. @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/h5CtLGl5hN @capitalweather Annandale Rd flooded east of Gallows rd. Police are there and have blocked off the flooded area. One lane squeezes by.— Christina Perucci (@brooklynblade) April 30, 2014 @capitalweather Annandale Rd flooded east of Gallows rd. Police are there and have blocked off the flooded area. One lane squeezes by. 3:20 p.m.: We have a fresh update on the risk of severe thunderstorms and tornadoes this evening in this post: Risk of severe weather, tornadoes focused south and east of Washington this evening 2:40 p.m. There have been multiple reports of high water rescues today so let this be one additional reminder that it is extremely unsafe to attempt to driving across flooded roads. You endanger yourself and first responders. When you encounter high water on a road, turn around and find another way to your destination. Trotter road in Howard county Maryland @capitalweather @weatherchannel pic.twitter.com/eoZWDHOBt4— Brian (@BriBri56789) April 30, 2014 Trotter road in Howard county Maryland @capitalweather @weatherchannel pic.twitter.com/eoZWDHOBt4 2:25 p.m.: Several locations have now picked up over 4 inches of rain from this event. The National Weather Service reports 4.14″ in Gaithersburg and 4.5″ in Sterling. Dulles Airport has received 4.18″, and 2.85″ today alone, a daily record, and just 0.05″ off its wettest April day on record, 2.9 from April 20, 2008. Reagan National Airport has also set a daily rainfall record, with 1.52″ so far (previous record 1.16″ from 2005). 2:05 p.m.: How much rain is falling today across the eastern U.S.? USA Today reports: About 2 trillion gallons of water will fall today in the eastern USA, according to an estimate from the U.S. Geological Survey. That’s figuring roughly 3 inches of rain across 370,000 square miles, which is about the area of the eastern seaboard. 1:55 p.m.: Flash flood warnings have been extended north and now include the Baltimore region (through 4:45 p.m.). More or less the entire area along and west of I-95 from D.C.’s southern suburbs to Baltimore’s northern suburbs are under flash flood warnings. Reports of water rescues continue to trickle in from around the region, the latest from around Bethesda and Bowie: RT @mcfrsPIO: Water Rescue Burning Tree rd & Melody la, Bethesda - car in high water— Everett Will (@DCAbloob) April 30, 2014 RT @mcfrsPIO: Water Rescue Burning Tree rd & Melody la, Bethesda - car in high water JUST IN: Water rescue underway for man trapped in car in flooding in Bowie, Md. on Governor Bridge Rd. pic.twitter.com/93c7M0YBzm— ABC7News (@ABC7News) April 30, 2014 JUST IN: Water rescue underway for man trapped in car in flooding in Bowie, Md. on Governor Bridge Rd. pic.twitter.com/93c7M0YBzm (Note: a flash flood warning is more severe than a flood warning, as it conveys extreme rainfall over a very short time period) 1:40 p.m.: Rainfall totals through 1 p.m. (since Monday) are very impressive. Dulles Airport has picked up 4.03″ (0.73″ noon-1 p.m.), National Airport 2.8″ (0.64″ noon-1 p.m.), and BWI 2.99″. Keep in mind, Reagan National’s average rainfall for the entire month is 3.06″, which should be exceeded from this single event. 1:20 p.m.: A flash flood warning has been issued for NW D.C., Falls Church, Fairfax, Manassas and Arlington, Fairfax and Prince William counties through 4:15 p.m. Writes the National Weather Service: NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED VERY HEAVY RAIN CAPABLE OF PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING. UP TO THREE INCHES OF RAIN HAS FALLEN IN THE LAST 24 HOURS. ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF UP TO 1 INCH CAN BE EXPECTED. Radar indicates heavy rain cells training – or tracking over the same areas repeatedly – just west of I-95. Downpours capable of cause creeks to overflow their banks and flooding low lying areas is likely or already happening in this area. 1:10 p.m.: The recent very heavy rainfall rates have prompted a flash flood warning for Montgomery and Howard counties until 4 p.m. Writes the National Weather Service: EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT REPORTED WATER RESCUES IN THE CENTRAL PART OF [MONTGOMERY] COUNTY. THE STREAM GAUGE ON TURKEY BRANCH NEAR ROCKVILLE ROSE FIVE FEET IN FIFTEEN MINUTES AND WAS CONTINUING TO RISE. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION. BethesdaNow reports vehicles trapped in water on Bradley Boulevard. @capitalweather Seneca Creek at Dawsonville pic.twitter.com/AEHWVJ5wgA— Jack Toomey (@JackToomey) April 30, 2014 @capitalweather Seneca Creek at Dawsonville pic.twitter.com/AEHWVJ5wgA 1:05 p.m.: Here’s another photo of the coastal flooding in Annapolis from this morning’s high tide. The next high tide in which there may be flooding issues is around 7 p.m. in Annapolis and around 10 p.m. in Old Town and the District. 12:45 p.m.: Motorists are reporting lots of standing water and ponding on roadways – so take it slow. ABC7′s Jaqui Jeras shot this video on I-395 near South Capitol: Here are a few more reports of flooding in the region: * List of flooded roads in Fairfax County * Edwards Ferry Road in Leesburg * Baptist Church Road in St. Mary’s County 12:35 p.m: This latest round of downpours (with embedded thunder and lightning) is causing an uptick in flooding reports. * The National Weather Service reports that Bradley Rd. is closed at the intersection with Fernwood due to flooding in Bethesda * In Prince George’s County, Governors Bridge Road has been closed (before the bridge) due to high water. Motorists are advised to take an alternative route. Here are some fresh social media flood reports: @ChuckBell4. Seneca Creek @ Brink Rd getting ready to leave it’s banks. pic.twitter.com/af2INhpYGh— Daniel Haske (@dphaske) April 30, 2014 @ChuckBell4. Seneca Creek @ Brink Rd getting ready to leave it’s banks. pic.twitter.com/af2INhpYGh 12:30 p.m. A bit of lightning is evident in the storms cycling through the region right now, which have very heavy rain. There may a bit of a break in the rain after around 1 p.m. Some lightning west of DC now. http://t.co/auaXvafHRk pic.twitter.com/r1zL8RBd9x— Ian Livingston (@islivingston) April 30, 2014 Some lightning west of DC now. http://t.co/auaXvafHRk pic.twitter.com/r1zL8RBd9x 11:55 a.m. Not only has there been coastal flooding in Old Town, but also in Annapolis, per Twitter: Flooding at the Annapolis Docks. Pic from Sharon Fox pic.twitter.com/fU4mgpB839— Justin Berk (@JustinWeather) April 30, 2014 Flooding at the Annapolis Docks. Pic from Sharon Fox pic.twitter.com/fU4mgpB839 11:35 a.m. The heavy rain coming through tends to focus in narrow bands – which can lead to significant variability in totals. For example, in the last 3 hours, here are the totals at the three airports: Reagan National 0.38″, Dulles 1.0″, BWI 0.8″. A very heavy wave of rain in Prince William County has its eyes set on the immediate metro region for the lunch hour. 10:55 a.m.: National Weather Service reports indicate 24-hour rainfall totals of 1-2 inches (storm totals are higher, over 2 inches in many areas, see 10:20 a.m. update). Link: List of totals Probably best not to use these stairs in Cleveland Park until it stops raining: pic.twitter.com/TMKGCsINy8— Mike Madden (@MikeMadden) April 30, 2014 Probably best not to use these stairs in Cleveland Park until it stops raining: pic.twitter.com/TMKGCsINy8 10:35 a.m.: Cameron Run in Alexandria has surpassed flood stage: Cameron Run in Huntington neighborhood of Alexandria has surpassed flood stage. Water likely flowing onto Fenwick Dr. pic.twitter.com/GeDIPuhiMj— Eileen Whelan (@EileenABC7) April 30, 2014 Cameron Run in Huntington neighborhood of Alexandria has surpassed flood stage. Water likely flowing onto Fenwick Dr. pic.twitter.com/GeDIPuhiMj 10:20 a.m.: Here are storm rainfall totals (since Monday), through 10:00 a.m.: Reagan National 2.06″, Dulles 2.79″, BWI 2.06″ Image below shows doppler radar estimated rainfall totals – in the 1-3 inch range across the region: 10:10 a.m.: Road closure reports are increasing. Via Twitter: Two dozen roads in Prince William and Loudoun counties closed due to flooding. Go to http://t.co/mS7Q9NCpLn— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) April 30, 2014 Two dozen roads in Prince William and Loudoun counties closed due to flooding. Go to http://t.co/mS7Q9NCpLn 10:00 a.m.: We’re seeing spotty reports of street flooding around the area. Here are a few reports from Twitter: .@fairfaxpolice: Road Closures: Burke Rd/Heritage Sq. Dr, 2800 block Fox Mill Rd, Lawyers Rd east of Hunter Mill. Use alt route. #vatraffic— WTOP Traffic (@WTOPtraffic) April 30, 2014 .@fairfaxpolice: Road Closures: Burke Rd/Heritage Sq. Dr, 2800 block Fox Mill Rd, Lawyers Rd east of Hunter Mill. Use alt route. #vatraffic .@hilzies Rock Creek Parkway flooding south of Porter as well @usparkpolicepio— WTOP Traffic (@WTOPtraffic) April 30, 2014 .@hilzies Rock Creek Parkway flooding south of Porter as well @usparkpolicepio @capitalweather western PWCo at Logmill Road pic.twitter.com/vLtYZutRO1— Paul Crumlish (@paulcrumlish) April 30, 2014 @capitalweather western PWCo at Logmill Road pic.twitter.com/vLtYZutRO1 9:45 a.m.: Some tidal flooding has been reported around Old Town this morning. Pictures: Dock area almost completely underwater in Old town #AlexandriaVA @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/NvWocWJj9h— Alexandria VA News (@redbricktown) April 30, 2014 Dock area almost completely underwater in Old town #AlexandriaVA @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/NvWocWJj9h Potomac latte? Flooding at Old Town Alexandria near the Starbucks pic.twitter.com/H8NYvK7wGi— Armando Trull (@trulldc) April 30, 2014 Potomac latte? Flooding at Old Town Alexandria near the Starbucks pic.twitter.com/H8NYvK7wGi
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