City Of Greenbelt: Severe Weather And Flash Flood Risks From Hurricane Ida

Press release from the City of Greenbelt:

08/31/2021 5:21 PM

Ida has now become a Tropical Depression. The remnants of the system have moved over Central Mississippi and are now approaching the Mid-Atlantic States. A Flash Flood Watch is in effect for the entire NCR as Ida remnants of pass Wednesday into Thursday. 2 to 6 (reasonable worst case scenario) inches of rain is expected over the region, which could lead to instances of flash flooding and river flooding.

BLUF:

• 2-4 inches (reasonable worst case scenario) inches of rain expected over region
• Greatest threat is the potential flooding/flash flooding of creeks and urban areas Wednesday night/Thursday morning
• Greatest risk for MD generally along and north of US 50
• Marginal tornado potential. Main threat of tornadoes is Wednesday during the daytime
• Based on last night’s forecast, it’s anticipated that storms and precipitation will mostly impact areas NW of DC and County should expect to see +/- 2-inches of rainfall which our storm drain system should be able to handle.
  • One news report indicated potential for 6-inches of rainfall; this would be problematic for the County

Impacts:

• Impacts are expected to begin Wednesday in Western Maryland and will move east throughout the day and into early Thursday morning
• Widespread 2-4" of rain, with local amounts up to 6".  Heaviest rainfall is forecast to be Wednesday into Wednesday night associated with thunderstorm activity north of Route 50 and west of the Bay
• Isolated thunderstorms may bring a risk of damaging wind gusts and a marginal risk of tornadoes, particularly southeast of the track.  The primary timing for tornadoes will be Wednesday during the day
• Flash flood watches are in effect for much of the State beginning 08:00 Wednesday through 20:00 Thursday
• Moderate tidal flooding is possible Wednesday into Wednesday night in low-lying coastal locations on both the eastern and western Bay, as well as the Atlantic coast
• River flooding threat window is from Wednesday through Saturday, with the main-stem Potomac, Monocacy, and Susquehanna rivers being areas for potential river flooding

The Office of Emergency Management has opened an event in WebEOC titled “PGC -- Topical Storm Ida  -- 09-01-2021.” Those with access to WebEOC may enter in situational awareness updates and resource requests. Please be sure that you are in the correct event as COVID-19 Event is still open. Additionally, if you do not have access to WebEOC please send any updates or resource requests to countyeoc@co.pg.md.us.

Continue to monitor conditions alongside of the Office of Emergency Management by visiting www.weather.gov.

This press release was produced by the City of Greenbelt. The views expressed here are the author’s own.