Storm Bringing Strong Winds And Coastal Flooding To Maryland

MARYLAND — With forecasts of the worst coastal flooding since Hurricane Isabel in 2003, Maryland residents should keep a close eye on weather conditions and plan to avoid flood-prone areas.

Rising water in some areas, plus predictions of wind gusts of up to 55 mph that could down trees, have led to road closures, street flooding and school cancelations in some counties. The Maryland Department of Emergency Management has raised the state activation level to partial — the second-highest level — to enhance coordination with local jurisdictions in response to the storm.

One to two inches of rain is forecast for Friday, with up to four inches in some areas. Flooding near streams and poor drainage areas is possible, according to the National Weather Service.

On Friday, Gov. Larry Hogan urged everyone to follow weather forecasts and remain on alert as heavy rains, moderate to major flooding, and hazardous winds hit the state through Sunday.

“We are asking all Marylanders and visitors to our state to take this weather seriously and take precautions to remain safe, especially if you are in low-lying areas prone to flooding,” Hogan said in a statement. “We will continue to closely monitor the storm, and coordinate our response across state and local agencies throughout the weekend. Stay tuned to local news stations for the latest updates, use common sense, and listen to any instructions local authorities will provide.”

Friday flooding slammed the Anne Arundel County coastline. Landmarks are underwater, roads are closed, water has covered downtown Annapolis streets and meteorologists said this could be the worst flood in 10 to 20 years.

The storm disrupted schools, commutes and businesses throughout the region. School systems in Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, and Harford County canceled all Friday classes as leaders worried about poor road conditions. Late Friday morning, Prince George's County Public Schools said it will dismiss classes an hour early. Cecil County dismissed middle and high school students at noon and elementary schools planned to let out at 1:15 p.m.

Sustained winds forced the Maryland Transportation Authority to place the Chesapeake Bay Bridge under limited wind restrictions Friday morning. That means house trailers and empty box trailers cannot cross.

Strong winds also could cause tree damage, as wind gusts could reach 30 to 40 mph in parts of Maryland and hit 55 mph along the Chesapeake Bay.

Coastal flooding will be the worst since Hurricane Isabel along the Bay and Patapsco River. High tides Friday afternoon and late Friday night are key concerns, according to the NWS.

The Maryland National Guard has staged about 20 soldiers and 10 vehicles at the Easton and Salisbury armories as a precaution in case they are needed to support civil agencies.

While major coastal and tidal flooding will be the main story with this system, flood watches, wind advisories, and warnings have also been issued in other portions of the state. Check weather.gov for the latest at your location.

According to the National Weather Service, Marylanders can expect:

• Heavy Rain: There is the potential for significant amounts of rainfall that could lead to moderate to major flooding. Heavy rain with widespread amounts of 1-3 inches expected, with localized amounts of 3-4 inches.
• Winds: Hazardous winds could cause downed trees in soggy grounds, potentially causing power outages.
• Storm force winds for middle and lower portions of the Chesapeake Bay and lower Potomac River
• Gale warnings for the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, and Atlantic Coast through late tonight
• High wind warning issued for St. Mary’s and Calvert counties
• Wind advisory for rest of Western Shore counties and northern Eastern Shore
• Tidal and Coastal Flooding: Moderate to major tidal and coastal flooding is expected along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, Potomac River, and Atlantic Coast. The NWS has issued flood watches for portions of Baltimore and D.C. metro areas.

Residents are advised to:

• Call 911 in case of an emergency.
• Never drive through flooded roadways. Turn around, don’t drown!
• Determine their best protection for high winds and flooding.
• Heed all warnings and stay indoors during severe weather.
• Check with local authorities for the latest information about public evacuation shelters.
• If evacuation is necessary, bring items such as hand sanitizer, cleaning materials, and two cloth face coverings per person.
• Closely monitor updated weather forecasts and be sure to have a way to access local forecasts and warnings.
• Keep devices charged in case of power outages.
• Know who to contact in the case of a power outage. Emergency phone numbers for utility companies can be found here.
• Only use generators outdoors and never in a garage. The generator should be at least 20 feet away from the home and away from windows, doors, and vents.
• Follow Maryland Department of Emergency Management (MDEM) and regional NWS social media accounts for localized forecasts.

A coastal flood warning is in place for the shoreline of southern Baltimore County and the city of Baltimore until 6 a.m. Sunday with 2 to 3 feet of inundation above ground level in low-lying areas due to tidal flooding.

At 5 feet, several roads in downtown Baltimore are flooded, along with the Pier 4 promenade on the east side, and much of the lower Inner Harbor area. Significant flooding is occurring in the Bowleys Quarters area with yards, roads, and homes flooded, the National Weather Service said.

Starting around 5 p.m., storms will start to taper off after dumping 2 inches of rain in many areas. Heading into early evening Friday, the NWS says the heaviest rain will have moved out of the area by 11 p.m., although a chance of showers remains after 2 a.m. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall.

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A flood watch is in effect until 6 p.m. Friday for Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, and Howard counties. The watch also includes the cities of Silver Spring, Bowie, Annapolis, Odenton, Bethesda, Severn, College Park, Columbia, Severna Park, Greenbelt, Rockville, Arnold, Suitland-Silver Hill, Laurel, Ellicott City, Baltimore, Glen Burnie and Gaithersburg.

A wind advisory is also in effect until 6 p.m. for southern Baltimore County, plus Anne Arundel and southeast Harford counties. That includes the cities of Baltimore, Glen Burnie, Annapolis,
Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, and Aberdeen.

East winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts around 50 to 55 mph are expected. The strongest winds will be along the immediate shoreline along the Chesapeake Bay and Patapsco River.

Traffic, weather, and power outage alerts, as well as all-hazard preparedness information, can be found on MDEM's website.

To receive alerts, tips, and resources related to COVID-19 and other threats and hazards affecting or that may affect Maryland, text "MdReady" to 211-MD1 or visit MdReady.Maryland.gov to sign up.

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