WASHINGTON — After an onslaught of showers and storms Wednesday night, roads are underwater and waterways are overflowing across the D.C. region. The area is still under a flood warning until 6 a.m. Thursday.
The National Weather Service said some area streams and creeks rose 4 to 7 feet in an hour Wednesday night. Sligo Creek in Takoma Park, Maryland, and Rock Creek in D.C. surpassed their flood stages by around 8:30 p.m., according to the weather service.
Montgomery County officials shut down intersections on parts of Beach Drive and Sligo Creek Parkway because of flooding and stranded vehicles.
In Alexandria, Virginia, Four Mile Run rose from about 4.3 feet at 7:16 p.m. to 10.6 feet at 7:27 p.m., the weather service said.
Residents are urged to stay away from flooded areas.
Broad Branch Road. Again, this is a road — but it is not one to be driven on. Not until the flash flood threat subsides. pic.twitter.com/7TCfTyntfh
— Dave Dildine (@DildineWTOP) July 25, 2018
Flash Flood Warning including Washington DC, Arlington VA, Alexandria VA until 9:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/mLXV3sxSuF
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 25, 2018
Flash Flood Warning including Baltimore MD, Dundalk MD, Towson MD until 10:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/X40lDbfwvg
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 25, 2018
Flood Warning in effect until 10:45pm EDT for eastern Loudoun County, Western and Central Prince William County, and western Fairfax County in Virginia, and southwestern Montgomery County in Maryland. pic.twitter.com/M6zgjZmbIf
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 25, 2018
Flooding in Old Town, Alexandria near the Potomac @WTOP pic.twitter.com/IPenezRCk7
— Melissa Howell (@Mhowell003) July 25, 2018
The weather service is also warning residents of the threat from trees toppling because of the heavily saturated ground from all the recent rain. Trees can fall over with little or no wind in these conditions, the weather service said.
Drivers should stay alert when going through wooded areas for the potential of downed trees.
The area is still recovering from last weekend’s storms that dumped as much as 6 inches of rain on Saturday alone in some parts, and the start of the workweek’s wet weather. The ground is already soaked so the water has no place to go.
Again, these drivers managed to reverse after venturing just past the point where Broad Branch spilled out of its banks. pic.twitter.com/mrugeUEp9w
— Dave Dildine (@DildineWTOP) July 25, 2018
Since Saturday, rainfall totals at BWI Marshall Airport add up to 10.78 inches; at Dulles International Airport, a total of 6.34 inches of rain fell upon the area. Reagan National Airport had a total of 5.73 inches of rain since Saturday’s washout.
Montgomery Parks even closed all natural surface trails to the public since excessive rain may create dangerous conditions for park users as well as affect the integrity of the trails. Paved trails remained open.
Current advisories
There is a flood warning until 6 a.m. Thursday for D.C., southeastern Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Arlington County, Fairfax County, Prince William County, and the cities of Falls Church and Alexandria.
The weather service also issued a flood warning for Howard, Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties, and Baltimore City in Maryland until 7 a.m. Thursday.
A flood warning is in effect for other parts of Carroll, Howard, northern Montgomery, Frederick and Baltimore counties until 8:30 a.m. Thursday.
Traffic and transit
Flooding and downed trees have caused some major problems on local roads.
In D.C., rain and heavy flooding prompted water rescues. On Grant Road and Davenport Street in Northwest, a mail truck overturned into a waterway; D.C. Fire and EMS said the driver is safe. Also, at Grant Road and 27th Street, still in Northwest, two people self-evacuated from a car and sheltered nearby.
The Rock Creek Park area in D.C. is “very hazardous,” according to D.C. Fire and EMS.
#DCsBravest on scene Grant Rd & Davenport St NW. Mail truck over turned in the water. We searched area and found no victims. Avoid Rock Creek Park roadways due to debris and flooding. pic.twitter.com/Wk0RgUYUSl
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) July 25, 2018
#DcsBravest on scene of 2nd water rescue call Grant Rd and 27th St NW. 2 Occupants of vehicle self evacuated and sheltered at nearby home. Large tree also fell close to DC FEMS vehicle. No injuries. Conditions in Rock Creek Park are very hazardous. pic.twitter.com/GIvkGvZuK1
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) July 26, 2018
D.C. police are also reporting high standing water in Northwest: on Broad Branch Road between Brandywine and 27th streets, and on Canal Road between Arizona Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard.
Multiple water rescues also happened across Montgomery County, Maryland. Below is a list of areas affected by the severe weather in the county.
ICYMI – multiple water rescues – Sundale Dr & East West Hy; Isaac Walton Way & W Willard Rd, vehicles in high water – occupants self rescued, no injuries, roads CLOSED pic.twitter.com/NLZsbLhi3x
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) July 25, 2018
In Virginia, high water closed multiple roads around Fairfax County. Fairfax County police are regularly updating road closures in the area on their website.
Get the latest traffic report at WTOP’s Traffic page.
Current conditions
Forecast
The region could dry out Thursday and Friday, which are expected to be partly sunny and humid.
Here’s the outlook for the next few days:
- Thursday: Mostly to partly cloudy and likely rain-free. Highs: Upper 80s.
- Friday: Partly cloudy. Highs: near 90.
- Saturday: Mostly cloudy with chances for showers. Highs in upper 80s.
Power outages
See the latest power outages below.
