Ida's Impact On Northern Virginia, DC: Forecast, How To Prepare

VIRGINIA/DC — The Northern Virginia and D.C. region will feel the brunt of the remnants of Hurricane Ida on Wednesday, with heavy rain and gusty winds expected. The region is under a flash flood watch from Wednesday morning to Thursday morning.

Ida, now a tropical depression after coming ashore in Louisiana as a Category 4 hurricane, is on track to dump inches of rain in the D.C. area. Between 3 and 5 inches are expected in the D.C. area. Greater rain totals are possible north and west of D.C. and Baltimore.

The National Weather Service said there is a “moderate risk” of excessive rainfall associated with Ida in the region from Wednesday into Thursday morning.

Along with large rainfall totals, the NWS says there is “slight risk” of severe thunderstorms over the region from Wednesday afternoon into early Thursday morning. The thunderstorms could produce frequent lightning, wind gusts, hail and a few tornadoes.

The severe thunderstorms are expected to reach Northern Virginia and D.C. by mid-afternoon Wednesday. The heaviest rain is expected during the late afternoon into the overnight hours on Wednesday.

The flash flood watch will be in effect from Wednesday morning to Thursday morning in Arlington, Falls Church, Alexandria, Fairfax County, Loudoun County and Prince William County, according to the NWS.

Flood-prone Alexandria offered free sandbags with proof of residence Tuesday morning.

Residents should clear gutters and storm drains, check any sump pumps and secure basements, including any valuable belongings on the basement floor.

Dominion Energy is recommending that residents make preparations in case the remnants of Ida cause power outages in Virginia. Emergency kits should include flashlights, batteries, cleaning supplies, masks, food and water, while first aid kits should include bandages, antibacterial wipes and medicine.

Visit the Virginia Department of Emergency Management's website to learn more about emergency kits.

Residents should make sure their phones and other electronic devices are charged by Wednesday morning. Customers also should download the Dominion Energy app, which will allow them to report an outage and check on the status of an outage directly.

Outages also can be reported to Dominion Energy by phone at 866-366-4357 or by visiting www.dominionenergy.com/outages. Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative customers can report outages to 703-335-0500, 1-888-335-0500 or www.novec.com.

D.C. residents also are can download the Pepco app to report outages and learn about the status of an outage.

After the storm passes, Friday, Saturday and Sunday are expected to be filled with sunshine with lower humidity and temperatures below average, in the upper 70s and low 80s.

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