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 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.

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.

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.



Forecast

Tuesday: Sunny skies and pleasant. Highs in the upper 60s to around 70 degrees.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny skies. Highs in the low 70s.

Thursday: Partly to mostly sunny skies to start, chance of showers late day. Highs in the mid 70s.

Current weather

Abigail Constantino

Abigail Constantino started her journalism career writing for a local newspaper in Fairfax County, Virginia. She is a graduate of American University and The George Washington University.

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