Coastal flood warning along DC Southwest Waterfront

Heavy rain over Mother’s Day weekend will continue to cause tidal flooding in low-lying areas, like the D.C.’s Southwest Waterfront.

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning for D.C. that lasts until 6 a.m. Wednesday. It covers the unprotected area on the Southwest Waterfront at the D.C. Seafood Market.

The tides could bring 1 to 2 feet of water into those low-lying areas as freshwater moves in from upstream on the Potomac River.

Floodwaters could come up to parts of Hains Point Loop Road, the NWS said.

Even with sunny skies, tidal flooding concerns could last until Thursday.

The next high tides are at 4 p.m. Tuesday and at 4:42 a.m. Wednesday.

The big story continues to be the coastal flooding which will likely be ongoing until Thu. Check out https://t.co/t54l4F2YTW for the latest. Any river flooding does wind down this morning. Expect seasonable temps with a dry forecast & plenty of sunshine! #MDwx #VAwx #DCwx #WVwx pic.twitter.com/cY3S71zVAU

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) May 10, 2022

The coast flood warning will turn to a coastal flood watch from Wednesday morning through Wednesday night.

On Monday, high tide mixed with floodwaters temporarily closed the Washington Channel at Ohio Drive along Hains Point. Drivers and pedestrians were asked not to enter the flooded areas.

Due to high tide & floodwaters from the Washington Channel, Ohio Drive along Hains Point is temporarily closed. Please do not attempt to enter flooded areas. pic.twitter.com/YKOo0PpARJ

— National Mall NPS (@NationalMallNPS) May 9, 2022

In Alexandria, Virginia, some streets were already flooded before high tide at 3 p.m. Monday. Alexandria police asked people to avoid the area as street closures were in place from King and Union streets to Prince and Union streets, and may be extended as necessary, Alexandria police said.

High tide isn’t expected until after 3 p.m. so please avoid the area if possible. pic.twitter.com/Kk3piByyA1

— Alexandria Police (@AlexandriaVAPD) May 9, 2022

Outside of the D.C. area, two construction barges carrying a Caterpillar excavator and other equipment broke loose and floated down the Potomac River on Sunday afternoon, heading toward Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

“The river is wild when waters rise and the river becomes dangerous,” Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park spokeswoman Christiana Hanson told The Associated Press.

Heavy rain on Friday kick-started a damp Mother’s Day weekend, which triggered flood watches and warnings Saturday and Sunday.