Water, Water Everywhere
By JIM IOVINO
Updated 6:52 PM EST, Tue, May 26, 2009
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Torrential rainfall flooded parts of the Washington region overnight, and it may not be over just yet.
Parts of the area received more than 2 inches of rain since Monday afternoon, with the heaviest rain in northeast D.C., southern Montgomery County and northern Prince George's County. An additional 1 to 2 inches are possible according to the National Weather Service.
The precipitation could return later today with pockets of heavier rain. The pattern remains unsettled with possible afternoon thunderstorms Wednesday into Friday. High pressure will move in for the weekend which will dry us out.
A flood watch until 8 a.m. Wednesday morning has been issued for:
- D.C.
- Anne Arundel County, Md.
- Howard County, Md.
- Montgomery County, Md.
- Prince George's County, Md.
- Arlington, Va.
- Falls Church, Va.
- Alexandria, Va.
- Culpeper County, Va.
- Fairfax County, Va.
- Fauquier County, Va.
- Loudoun County, Va.
- Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park
- Rappahannock County, Va.
An almost stationary front and very moist air could result in heavy rain from the Blue Ridge and east Tuesday afternoon and night. The ground is approaching saturation or already saturated in most of the area, so any additional rain could cause flooding of creeks, streams, and poorly drained and low-lying areas.
People in areas prone to flooding should be prepared for flooding, monitor forecasts and watch for possible flood warning.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning until 11:30 a.m. for the following counties:
- District of Columbia
- Howard County
- Montgomery County
- Prince George's County
- Arlington County
- Alexandria
- Fairfax
- Falls Church
- Fairfax County
- Loudoun County
Flash Floods Hit Region
Flooding is occurring or imminent in the D.C.; Arlington, Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia; and Montgomery, Prince George's and Howard counties in Maryland, officials said.
Several roads in D.C. and the surrounding suburbs were closed. A stretch of Rhode Island Avenue in northeast Washington has reopened, officials said. A water rescue team went to the Rhode Island Avenue Metro Station to rescue three people standing on vehicles stuck in high-standing water.
Mount Olivet Road in northeast Washington was closed from West Virginia Avenue to Trinidad Avenue, as was the 700 block of 13th Street, northeast.
The weather also has caused some trees to fall, including one that was blocking southbound George Washington Parkway at Roosevelt Island. Crews have removed it and the roadway has reopened, U.S. Park Police said.
Thousands of people lost power as a result of the weather, and some traffic lights were knocked out.
Motorists Stranded By Flood Waters
A Prince George's Fire official said several motorists were rescued after their vehicles were stranded by flash flooding brought on by torrential rainfall.
Members of the fire department's swift water team were called Baltimore Avenue at Amendable Road in Beltsville around 4:45 p.m. Monday.
Fire department spokesman Mark Brady said team members were able to rescue four people in a vehicle stranded after it passed road barriers.
About an hour later, Brady said the team was called to the 5800 Block of Sunnyside Road in Beltsville, where they rescued three people from three vehicles. All three declined to be taken to the hospital.
For complete weather coverage, click here.
Copyright Associated Press / NBC Washington
First Published: May 26, 2009 5:27 AM EST
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