Zeta Threatens Anne Arundel County With Floods, Winds: Report

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Anne Arundel County is in the line of fire of Tropical Storm Zeta as it passes through the mid-Atlantic on Thursday. Most concerning are the storm's rainfall, flood and wind potentials.

Zeta was located 100 miles northeast of Asheville North Carolina, as of the most recent update at 11 a.m. The storm is moving northeast at 48 mph and should hit Maryland directly Thursday afternoon.

Forecasters predict that Zeta could pour 2 to 3 inches of rain on the region. Some places could see even more. The tropical storm has already dumped 0.5 to 1.5 inches on the area.

Much of Maryland is under a flood warning until 5:30 p.m. That means there is an active and ongoing threat. The National Weather Service says residents in these areas should clear the roads immediately:

• The District of Columbia...
• Northwestern Anne Arundel County in central Maryland...
• Eastern Howard County in central Maryland...
• Southeastern Montgomery County in central Maryland...
• Northern Prince Georges County in central Maryland...
• Baltimore County in northern Maryland...
• Baltimore City in northern Maryland...
• Arlington County in northern Virginia...
• Northeastern Fairfax County in northern Virginia...
• The City of Alexandria in northern Virginia...
• The City of Falls Church in northern Virginia...

These towns are at an elevated risk for flooding:

• Baltimore...
• Arlington...
• Alexandria...
• Columbia...
• Rockville...
• Bethesda...
• Bowie...
• Severn...
• Annandale...
• Olney...
• Pikesville...
• Springfield...
• College Park...
• Crofton...
• Middle River...
• Greenbelt...
• Langley Park...
• Beltsville...
• Elkridge...
• Riviera Beach...

"Turn around, don't drown when encountering flooded roads," The National Weather Service advised in its most recent report. "Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."

Zeta currently packs winds of up to 50 mph. When its sustained winds drop below 39 mph, it will become a tropical depression.

Should its winds reach 74 mph, it would become a Category 1 hurricane. The storm is projected to weaken, however.

Zeta's winds are expected to hit Maryland around 2 p.m. The state is under a wind advisory until 8 p.m.

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