Flood Warnings, Flood Watch Extended For Parts Of MD

MARYLAND — Parts of Maryland are under severe thunderstorm or flash flood warnings Wednesday evening, while a flood watch continues for the larger Baltimore-DC region.

The National Weather Service said a severe thunderstorm in the area at 5:21 p.m. has dropped 1 to 2 inches of rain already. The severe thunderstorm warning applies to central Anne Arundel County and northeastern Prince George's County in central Maryland until 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Another 0.5 to 1.5 inches of rain are possible in the warned area. Flash flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly.

This includes Bowie, Severn, Annapolis, College Park, Crofton, Greenbelt, Beltsville, Riviera Beach, Bladensburg, Mayo, Naval Academy, Severn River, the University of Maryland, Gibson Island, Bodkin Point, Sillery Bay, Fedex Field, Magothy River, Dobbins Island and Pinehurst.

The weather service said the storm is producing 60 mph wind gusts that will cause some trees and large branches to fall. This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roads may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible.

A flood warning is in place for Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County until 10:45 p.m. The National Weather Service's Doppler radar showed thunderstorms are causing heavy rain in the warning area. Between 2.5 and 3.5 inches of rain have accumulated and another 0.5 to 1 inch are possible.

Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall.

Some locations that will experience flooding include Clinton, Mayo, Upper Marlboro, Andrews Air Force Base, Parole, Rosaryville, Marlton, Londontowne, Edgewater, Riva, Galesville, Lothian, Harwood, West River and Edgewater Beach.

Flash flooding is happening or expected to begin in the warning area. Potential locations are small creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses and other poor drainage and low-lying areas. Drivers encountering flooded roads are encouraged to "turn around, don't drown."

The flood watch is in effect until 11 p.m. Wednesday as showers and thunderstorms may cause creeks, streams, rivers and other low-lying areas to flood. Much of the region is expected to receive 1 to 1.5 inches of rain, but localized amounts of 2 to 4 are possible. Flooding may result from heavy rain in a short amount of time.

In Maryland, Anne Arundel, Calvert, Howard, Montgomery, Charles, Howard, Prince George's, Baltimore and St. Marys counties are under the flood watch.

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