Weather Alert: Flash Flood Watch Issued For DC, Northern Virginia

WASHINGTON, DC — Heavy rainfall forecast for Washington, D.C., and northern Virginia Friday into Saturday has prompted the National Weather Service to expand a flash flood watch for much of the state starting at 2 p.m. Friday and running through 2 p.m. Saturday. Washington, D.C., and much of Northern Virginia is also in the watch area.

Forecasts say 3 inches of rain is possible Friday into Saturday across much of the area. Thunderstorms could cause locally higher rainfall amounts that may result in rapid rises in streams and creeks. This could quickly result in flooding in low lying and poor drainage areas. The watch area includes the District of Columbia, plus Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Eastern Loudoun, Fairfax, Frederick, Fauquier, Prince William, Manassas, Manassas Park, Stafford, Warren, and the Loudoun areas.

A line of showers and thunderstorms is expected in the region after 2 p.m. Friday, the Weather Service says. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall, between three quarters and one inch is possible. Friday night showers will continue and thunderstorms could produce heavy rainfall. Those storms could produce another 1 to 2 inches. (SIGN UP: Get Patch’s daily newsletter and real-time news alerts, or like us on Facebook. Or, if you have an iPhone, download the free Patch app.)

A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop that lead to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation. You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

The weather service urges residents to take precautions ahead of the rainfall. 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.
• Those prone to basement flooding should prepare.
• Communities prone to flooding should prepare.

»Graphic from the National Weather Service, photo from Shutterstock