flooding

Drivers Nearly Swept Away in Prince George's Flash Floods

Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in parts of Prince George's County, Maryland, during the Monday evening commute

NBC Universal, Inc.

A slow-moving storm dumped a massive amount of rain onto parts of Prince George's County, Maryland, Monday evening, causing flash floods that left some drivers stuck in high water.

Flooding swept through the Bladensburg, Landover Hills and Riverdale areas, according to first responders.

Olufunmi Johnson told News4 the fast-moving waters nearly swept her away as she drove her pickup truck.

"The water was like this on me, like, on my chest," Johnson said.

She said at one point she thought she wouldn't make it, but good Samaritans rushed to her rescue.

"I was screaming, 'I can't swim. I'm shocked. I'm going to drown. Please, come and help me!'" she said.

Fire and rescue workers responded to at least two water rescue calls, one at Annapolis Road and 71st Avenue in Landover Hills and another at Kenilworth Avenue and East/West Highway in Riverdale, the fire department said about 5 p.m. Multiple cars were stuck in high water at the Kenilworth Avenue location. Firefighters got everyone out of the cars, and there were no injuries, the fire department said.

A parking lot off of Kenilworth Avenue looked more like a lake after the rain caused the nearby river to rise.

"It started carrying my car literally down the trail right there," said Kimberly Moreno, who made it out of her car that was parked in the lot just in time. A photo shows brown water coming up to the bottom of the steering wheel.

"I'm relieved but also stressed because now I gotta deal with all the car stuff. I just feel kind of in shock and I want to cry, and it's just a lot, like — overwhelmed," Moreno said.

Flash floods in northern Prince George's County on Monday night left behind mud Tuesday morning. News4's Dominique Moody talks with residents and business owners about the damage.

Businesses were working to clean up on Tuesday morning. In Riverdale, floodwaters streamed into a laundromat on Kenilworth Avenue, the owner said. Workers and customers scrambled to throw down towels to try to contain the mess.

Contact Us