MD Flash Flood Watch Extended As Heavy Rains Move Through

BALTIMORE, MD — With strong thunderstorms expected to dump up to three-quarters of an inch of rain across parts of Maryland and Virginia through 1 p.m. Sunday, a flash flood watch has been extended until 6 p.m. The National Weather Service says if rain persists, flood warnings may become necessary. Residents should remain alert for possible warnings and be prepared for rising water.

While rain is in the forecast for much of next week, the chances diminish. In flood-ravaged Ellicott City, crews spent the week preparing for the days of rain in the forecast, from tarps to sandbags to changes in access, Howard County officials said they are taking steps to get ready. "We're doing everything in our power to make sure that whatever happens over the next few days will have as little impact as possible down in Ellicott City," Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman said at a press conference Thursday.

Public works officials have been removing debris from Main Street, as well as storm channels and parking lots, and have installed temporary curbs along portions of the road.

SEE ALSO:

• Current Road Closures In Ellicott City
  
• Ellicott City Flood: ‘Devastated, Heartbroken’ By Roaring Waters

Rounds of thunderstorms have hit a soggy Maryland still saturated from recent rains. A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop leading to flash flooding, or a rapid rise in water level. Due to recent rainfall, the ground will not be able to absorb this rainfall, the Weather Service says.

Through 1 p.m., areas of moderate to heavy rain will move across the Baltimore and Washington metro areas, extending southward down the I-95 corridor to the Fredericksburg area and southern Maryland. Rainfall rates of up to three-quarters of an inch per hour will be possible, the weather service says. This may cause ponding of water on roadways and cause small streams to go out of their banks. Be alert for
the potential of standing water and hydroplaning.

Rapid rises of creeks and streams will be likely due to repeated rounds of torrential rainfall. Low-lying areas will be particularly susceptible. Runoff from the heavy rainfall likely will accumulate on roads making them impassible. Flash flooding may develop quickly. Be prepared to act if floodwaters threaten.

The following areas as well as Baltimore City and the District of Columbia are under the flash flood watch: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Carroll, Allegany, Howard, Montgomery, Charles, Frederick, Harford, and Prince George's.

The watch includes the cities of Washington, Hagerstown, Frederick, Ballenger Creek, Eldersburg, Westminster, Reisterstown, Cockeysville, Baltimore, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Camp Springs, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, St. Charles, Waldorf, Lexington Park, California, Chesapeake Beach, Huntingtown, Dunkirk, North Beach, Lusby, Prince Frederick, Frostburg, Cumberland, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Lisbon, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jarrettsville, and Aberdeen.

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Here's the forecast:

Sunday: Showers. High near 68. East wind 11 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Sunday Night: Showers likely, mainly before 11pm. Patchy fog. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 57. Northeast wind 6 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible..

Monday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. Northwest wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph..

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 60. Northwest wind 5 to 9 mph becoming light west..

Tuesday: A chance of showers, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 58. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 71.

Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 63.

Friday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 81. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

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