Downpours close roads; Forecast better for rest of week

On Ritchie-Marlboro Road under the Capital Beltway, firefighters helped four people get out of their vehicle, which had stalled Tuesday in high water. No injuries were reported. (Courtesy Prince George's County Fire Department)(Courtesy Prince George's County Fire Department )

WASHINGTON — After torrents of rain spread throughout the region Tuesday evening, flooding conditions have closed multiple roads in the D.C. area and even a school in D.C.

The threat of heavy rain is expected to die down throughout the day, according to Storm Team 4 meteorologist Chuck Bell, but much of the soggy situation still posed problems for morning commuters.


WTOP Traffic Center
WTOP Weather Center 
Closings and Delays Page
Current conditions and weather radar


Warnings and advisories

In Maryland, a flood warning is in effect for Prince George’s County until 1 p.m. The National Weather Service said the Water Street bridge in Upper Marlboro will be flooded; the river has crested and waters will slowly recede.

School closure

Closings and Delays Page

In D.C., Eliot-Hine Middle School in Northeast is closed Wednesday due to flooding in multiple areas of the building. Students can still get a hot meal at nearby Eastern High School at 10 45 a.m.

Traffic and Transit 

Tuesday’s heavy rains caused flooding in many areas in the D.C. region. In Prince George’s County, Maryland, for instance, some roads were closed due to water. Flooding was also reported in a parking lot, and some had to be rescued from their cars by firefighters.

The wet weather kicking off Wednesday morning may aggravate the still water on the roads.

Virginia:
  • VRE alerted commuters to the flooding on Piper Lane that has closed the thoroughfare both ways between Virginia Route 28 and Observation Road to traffic. Broad Run riders should use the alternate entrance via Goodwin Drive to Wakeman Drive.
  • All lanes are blocked both ways on Shreve Mill Road west of Sycolin Road due to street flooding.
  • In Loudoun County, the bridge in the area of Stumptown Road near Bankfield Drive was damaged during Tuesdays storm and will be closed “for a significant amount of time,” according to the sheriff.
Maryland
  • All lanes both ways on Glen Mill Road and Glen Road are blocked by the street flooding.
  • West of Wootton Parkway, all lanes both ways of Scott Drive are closed because of street flooding.

Forecast

Because of the rain, a break from the summer humidity is just around the corner. “As the cooler air begins to arrive this afternoon, an isolated shower or two will be possible,” said Bell. There is a 30 percent chance of rain Wednesday and the showers that may be will be short-lived and “not a day-long deluge.”

Wednesday: Partly cloudy and breezy. Less humid. Highs in the mid 80s.
Thursday: Mostly sunny with a pleasant breeze and low humidity. Highs in upper 70s.
Friday: Sunny with low humidity. Highs in the upper 70s and into the low 80s.

Weather Records

The soggy weather that soaked much of the region resulted in new rainfall records.

Tuesday’s record of 2.72 inches of rainfall at Dulles International Airport broke the 2014 record of 1.43 inches.

At Reagan National Airport, 2.46 inches of rain were recorded, breaking the record of 2.12 inches in 1906.

Current weather

Power outages

If there are power outages from the storm they will appear on the map below.

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