Isaias Impact In DC: Forecast, How To Prepare

WASHINGTON, DC — Much of the region is under alert as Tropical Storm Isaias continues up the East Coast. With the National Weather Service issuing a tropical storm warning and flash flood watch for D.C., and much of Northern Virginia, it's time to prepare for potential impacts of flooding rain, wind damage and tidal flooding.

Current models from the National Hurricane Center show Isaias will travel slightly northeast from its Monday morning position off the coast of Florida and reach hurricane strength before arriving at the coast of northeastern South Carolina and southern North Carolina southeast edge of North Carolina. From there, it is forecast to continue up the coastline toward Virginia, Maryland, D.C., New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

D.C., Northern Virginia (except Loudoun County), Stafford, Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg are included in the tropical storm warning issued Monday. This warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected in the area within the next 36 hours, according to the National Weather Service. These areas could see winds between 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

In addition, D.C. remains under a false food watch from 11 p.m. through 11 p.m., on Tuesday. Widespread rainfall of 3 to 6 inches is expected, with localized totals possibly being higher.

A Tropical Storm Warning is now in effect for much of central and southern MD, DC, as well as portions of northeastern VA along the I-95 corridor. Flooding rain, wind damage, and tidal flooding are all threats to the area. See https://t.co/NrmMNLJviC for further details. pic.twitter.com/6PFGukknRh
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 3, 2020

The District government suggests D.C. residents take the following steps to prepare for the storm:

• Sign up for AlertDC to received real-time weather alerts from District officials: alertdc.dc.gov.
• Build or re-stock your emergency kit with supplies to last you at least three days and ensure your kit has been updated to address impacts from COVID-19 by including item such as face masks, soap, hand sanitizer, and cleaning supplies.
• Bring objects inside that could become airborne in high winds (e.g., patio furniture and garbage cans).
• Secure outdoor loose objects that are unsafe to bring indoors (e.g., propane tanks).
• Clean out your home’s gutters and empty your rain barrels.
• Contact D.C. Water at 202-612-3400 to report clogged sewer drains.
• Report power outages to Pepco at 1-877-737-2662.
• Visit ready.dc.gov/hurricane for COVID-19 compliant hurricane preparedness tips.
• Follow HSEMA on Twitter for updated information on potential storm impacts.

Patch is tracking every move of Tropical Storm Isaias. Get all the updates on the storm by subscribing to Patch's free breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.

Additional information on hurricane preparation is available at ready.gov/hurricanes

Patch editor Emily Leayman helped with the reporting of this story.