Weather

More Storms Prompt Flash Flood Watch In Maryland

Rounds of thunderstorms will move across Maryland as the state recovers from recent floods. Up to 4 inches of rain may fall in some areas.

BALTIMORE, MD — Rounds of thunderstorms are expected in parts of Maryland Thursday still saturated from recent rains. The potential for flooding has prompted the National Weather Service to issue a flash flood watch for much of the state.

The flash flood watch is in effect from 2 p.m. on Thursday, May 31, to 2 a.m. on Friday, June 1. A flash flood watch means that conditions may develop leading to flash flooding, or a rapid rise in water level.

Showers and slow-moving thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rain are anticipated from midday through the evening Thursday, possibly continuing overnight. In some areas, there may be localized rainfall of 2 to 4 inches, according to the National Weather Service.

Find out what's happening in Columbiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The following counties as well as Baltimore City and the District of Columbia are under the flash flood watch:

  • Anne Arundel
  • Baltimore
  • Carroll
  • Harford
  • Howard
  • Montgomery
  • Prince George's

Drivers should be prepared for torrential downpours that may quickly flood streets and low-lying portions of highways and cause creeks and streams to spill beyond their banks.

Find out what's happening in Columbiafor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Weather officials said these locations in particular may be impacted: 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, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Lisbon, Columbia, Ellicott City, Jarrettsville and Aberdeen.

Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are anticipated at least through Saturday, weather officials advise. The heavy rains come less than a week after flooding that led to a state of emergency in Maryland.

Floods swept down Ellicott City's Main Street after nearly 8 inches of rain fell in a matter of hours Sunday. More than 10 inches of rain were reported in Catonsville, where roads and basements flooded. Some roads remain closed from the last round of storms in Ellicott City, Catonsville and Baltimore City.

Gov. Larry Hogan declared a statewide state of emergency on Sunday, May 27, which enables the state to coordinate assistance to any communities battling flooding.

The most recent floods were deadly. One man reported missing was later found deceased; Eddison Alexander Hermond, 39, of Severn, an active member of the Army National Guard, tried to help a woman and was swept away by the floodwaters. His body was found on the Baltimore County side of the Patapsco River Tuesday morning.


Graphic via National Weather Service. Dark green areas are under the flash flood watch, while light green shows where flood warnings are in effect. The dark red portion is under a flash flood warning.

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