Floodwaters Rush Through Baltimore After Severe Storm

BALTIMORE, MD — Severe thunderstorms led to flash flooding in the Baltimore metro area, making some roads impassable and driving up emergency calls in the city Tuesday. Up to 5 inches of rain had fallen in Baltimore and flooding was occurring, local law enforcement reported to the National Weather Service by 7:45 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 6.

Floodwaters had subsided but some effects remained the next day, as BGE was reporting more than 2,400 customers without power as of 7:50 a.m. Wednesday.

"Be cautious of traffic signal outages in East Baltimore this morning," the Baltimore City Department of Transportation advised Wednesday morning. Officials reminded drivers that if a traffic light is not operating, they should treat the intersection as a four-way stop.

Here are some images from the floods:

As water levels rose in parts of the city, so too did the call volume experienced by emergency officials, the Baltimore firefighters union reported. It handled multiple fires and was dispatched to assist those in distress amid the spate of storms.

By 7:30 p.m., it said that the city had asked for help from surrounding counties to handle the influx of calls.

The Baltimore County Fire Department sent nine engines to assist in the city, its personnel reported after 9:30 p.m.

EXPIRED: A flood warning was in effect until 3 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 7, for northeastern Baltimore City and south central Baltimore County. Baltimore, Dundalk, Rosedale and Eastpoint are likely to experience floods, according to weather officials. Small creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, streets, underpasses and other low-lying spots may flood.

"Do not attempt to walk or drive through moving water," Baltimore's Office of Emergency Management advised.

There was a flash flood warning in effect until 9 p.m. and a severe thunderstorm warning until 7:45 p.m. for parts of the city and county. Flash flooding, or a rapid rise in water level, can be deadly.

Up to 3 inches of rain had fallen in the Baltimore metro area before 7 p.m., the weather service reported.

Radar detected severe thunderstorms with heavy rain after 6 p.m., at which point authorities said flash flooding was expected to begin shortly in Baltimore, Dundalk, Rosedale and Eastpoint.

Weather officials said radar also indicated a severe thunderstorm with 60 mph winds and golf ball-sized hail that could damage roofs, siding, windows and vehicles.

"Expect wind damage to trees and power lines," the severe thunderstorm warning says. "Hail is large enough to dent and damage vehicles."

These areas may be affected: Baltimore, North Point State Park, Sparrows Point, Dundalk, Essex,
Parkville, Carney, Rosedale, Rossville, Brooklyn Park, Edgemere, Fullerton, Eastpoint, Turners Station, Middle River and White Marsh.

Graphics courtesy of the National Weather Service.

EXPIRED: A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for parts of Baltimore City and Baltimore County until 6:15 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 6. Radar detected a severe thunderstorm over Baltimore that prompted the warning before 5:30 p.m.

Officials said the storm had 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail. It was moving east at 5 mph.

These areas may be impacted, according to authorities: Baltimore, North Point State Park, Sparrows Point, Dundalk, Essex, Parkville, Carney, Rosedale, Rossville, Brooklyn Park, Edgemere, Fullerton, Eastpoint and Turners Station.

During the severe thunderstorm warning period, people should go inside to an interior room on the lowest floor to stay safe from wind and lightning. Do not drive underneath wooded areas until the threat has passed, as trees and branches may fall. Roads may become blocked by downed trees, and localized power outages are possible, according to the warning.