Flood Watch Issued In NoVA, DC As Storms May Bring Heavy Rains

WASHINGTON, DC — Flash flooding from excessive rainfall continues to be a threat for portions of the Washington, D.C., region on Sunday. A flood watch is in effect until 8 p.m. for DC and Northern Virginia, the National Weather Service said, with up to 3 inches of rain possible in a few areas.

“Moderate to heavy showers are continuing to move further east through parts of eastern VA and southern MD. An additional round of showers and t-storms will move through the area this PM. Flood Watch remains in effect for portions of the I-95 corridor and southern MD until 8pm,” the National Weather Service Baltimore-DC office said about 11:30 a.m. Sunday.

Portions of DC and Maryland under the flood watch include: the city of Baltimore, the District of Columbia, plus Fairfax, Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Stafford, Spotsylvania, King George, Prince William, Manassas and Manassas Park.

Communities included are: Centreville, Chantilly, Lake Ridge, Alexandria, Dale City, Woodbridge, Herndon, Fredericksburg, Annandale, Reston, McLean, Prince Frederick, Arlington, Montclair, Dahlgren, Falmouth, Franconia and Manassas.

The death toll in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, following flash flooding from a fast-moving storm and torrential downpours has risen to four people, authorities said Sunday morning. Authorities said they have recovered an additional body in a creek one mile south of Taylorsville Road Sunday morning. Authorities are not releasing the names and identities of the victims until families can be notified.

A woman and two children —a 9-month-old boy and his 2-year-old sister —are among the missing, Upper Makefield Township Volunteer Fire Company Chief Tim Brewer said at a press conference Sunday.

Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations, the NWS office for Baltimore-Washington, D.C., said. Flooding may occur in poor drainage and urban areas.

"Numerous showers and thunderstorms are possible across the warned area through this afternoon," the Weather Service said. "Storms will be capable of producing heavy rainfall, with additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 3 inches possible. Locally higher amounts are also possible."

High humidity will help generate storms Sunday, but conditions are expected to improve Monday into midweek, the Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang said.

"That doesn’t necessarily mean it won’t rain at all, but most days should only see the chance of a pop-up shower. Still plenty warm through the forecast period with highs near or past 90," the Post said.

Visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood for flood safety and preparedness information.

Storms are possible through Monday night, then skies clear as heat moves back in with high temperatures above 90 degrees by Tuesday, the weather service said.

Here's the DC-Virginia forecast for the first half of the week, according to the National Weather Service:

Sunday Afternoon: Scattered showers and thunderstorms. Some of the storms could produce heavy rain. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 87. Northwest wind 3 to 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming clear, with a low around 72. Northwest wind around 6 mph.

Monday: Sunny, with a high near 92. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Monday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 72. South wind 3 to 6 mph.

Tuesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 11am. Mostly sunny, with a high near 92. Southwest wind 5 to 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Tuesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 70. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Wednesday: A chance of showers after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 87. Chance of precipitation is 30%.