Weather

Weather Alert: Heavy Rains, Flooded Roads for Evening Commute

BREAKING: 1 to 3 inches of rain will fall Thursday afternoon and evening across Maryland, according to the National Weather Service.

BALTIMORE, MD — The evening commute could be a challenge across Maryland as the National Weather Service predicts that a short break in the rains sweeping the region will resume from noon to 8 p.m. and could bring another 1 to 3 inches of rain to many areas and up to 8 inches in isolated cases. Forecasters urge residents to prepare for severe flooding.

A flash flood watch issued earlier for the area runs until 8 a.m. Friday. In addition, a flood warning has been extended until 2 p.m. for Howard and parts of Anne Arundel counties, where river levels are rising.

At 10 a.m. the weather service said residents can look for a breather as the rain subsides, but it won't last. The break will allow flooding on low-lying roads to subside, but storms will pick up again in the afternoon and flooded roads are likely for tonight's commute home.

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Rain will intensify Thursday afternoon and continue overnight and into Friday morning, although rain shouldn't be as heavy in the morning. Showers are likely off and on until Sunday morning, the forecast says.

Parts of Maryland and the Washington, D.C., area named in the flash flood watch include Anne Arundel, Carroll, Howard, Montgomery, Baltimore, Harford and Prince George’s counties.

Find out what's happening in Edgewater-Davidsonvillewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Cities in the watch area include: Baltimore, Washington, Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, Germantown, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Columbia, Ellicott City and Aberdeen.

There is a high potential for flooding of small streams, as well as urban areas. Additionally there is a potential for the hardest-hit locations to see severe flooding and flash flooding, the National Weather Service says.

  • Thursday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm, then showers after 3am. Low around 62. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.
  • Friday: A chance of showers. High near 67. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
  • Friday Night: Showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 63. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.
  • Saturday: Showers likely, mainly before 9am. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 73. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
  • Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 64. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
  • Sunday: A chance of showers before 9am. Partly sunny, with a high near 77. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

To minimize flood risks be sure to:

  • If you are near streams or drainage ditches keep an eye on them and be ready to quickly seek higher ground. Water may rise rapidly.
  • Clear out storm drains.
  • Don't drive through water covering roads.
  • Don't let children play in flood waters or near fast-moving water.

»Photo by Violette79, via flickr creative commons


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