DC, NoVA Flood Warnings, Advisories In Effect Tuesday

ALEXANDRIA, VA—Areas near the Potomac River in DC and Northern Virginia are under flood warnings and advisories Tuesday—and up to Wednesday in some parts. Areas affected include waterfront areas of DC, Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County and Loudoun County.

The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning for Washington, DC through 8 a.m. Wednesday. Forecasters say the river will remain above flood stage in Georgetown through Tuesday night and likely at the Southwest waterfront through Tuesday afternoon.

The next two high tides are at 1:18 p.m. and 2:07 a.m. DC's Fish Market and parts of East Potomac Park could become flooded. Reporters on scene say water is covering the boardwalk at Washington Harbour in Georgetown.

In Northern Virginia, the Potomac River at Edwards Ferry is under a flood warning until Wednesday afternoon, affecting Loudoun County as well as Montgomery County, Md. Forecasters say portions of the C&O Canal towpath are flooded, and backwater flooding is impacting homes near Broad Run in Sterling.

At 5 a.m. on Tuesday, the river was 22.1 feet (15 feet is considered a flood stage). The river will continue to fall to below flood stage through Wednesday morning. (For more information on this and other neighborhood stories, subscribe to Patch to receive daily newsletters and breaking news alerts. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app; download the free Patch Android app here.)

In Fairfax County, the area of Little Falls is under a flood warning through late Tuesday. Reports say the C&O Canal overflowed at the Great Falls Tavern, and water continues to cover the towpath in many areas. At 5 a.m. Tuesday, the river was at 12.3 feet (flood stage is 10 feet). The river will fall below flood stage late Tuesday evening.

Meanwhile, the shoreline of Arlington County and Alexandria is under a coastal flood advisory Tuesday afternoon. Forecasters expect water to approach the curb near the intersection of King Street and Strand Street in Alexandria. Minor shoreline inundation up to one foot above ground is possible elsewhere. The time of flooding is likely around high tide, which will occur at 1:36 p.m. The advisory is in effect through 5 p.m.

The forecast of flooding comes as showers and thunderstorms are possible after 2 p.m. in DC, according to the NWS. Precipitation could continue into the early hours of Wednesday and clear up overnight.

Image of Alexandria waterfront via Patch editor Emily Leayman