Flash Flood Warning In Effect For Baltimore Metro Area

BALTIMORE, MD — Parts of the Baltimore metro area are under a flash flood warning. Officials said 1 to 2 inches of rain had fallen before 6:40 p.m. Friday, and flash flooding was expected to begin shortly.

Baltimore City and Baltimore County are under the flash flood warning until 10:30 p.m.

Flash flooding is a life-threatening situation that happens when heavy rain causes a rapid rise in water level.

These areas may flood, according to the flash flood warning: Baltimore, Dundalk, Essex, Rosedale, Rossville and Eastpoint.

Drivers should not proceed if they see a road is flooded. "Turn around, don't drown," the National Weather Service warns. "Most flood deaths occur in vehicles."

Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Harford, Howard and Prince George's counties and Baltimore City are under a flash flood watch until 10 p.m. Friday.

Officials said flooding in small streams and creeks, urban areas and places with poor drainage would be possible due to heavy rain that may fall at a rate of 2 inches an hour. The rainfall could be threatening in particular in the Baltimore-Washington metro area where heavy rain fell in the past day, officials said.

EXPIRED — Due to potentially strong winds and hail, the National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for part of central Maryland Friday night. It applies to Harford and Baltimore counties as well as Baltimore City.

At. 6:06 p.m., radar indicated a severe thunderstorm with 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail near Rossville, according to the weather service, which issued a severe thunderstorm warning until 6:45 p.m.

During the severe thunderstorm warning period, people are advised to go inside to stay safe from and move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building as a precaution.

These areas may be impacted, according to the severe thunderstorm warning: Baltimore, Middle River, North Point State Park, Sparrows Point, Back River, Millers Island, Dundalk, Towson, Essex, Parkville, Carney, Perry Hall, Pasadena, Rosedale, Rossville, White Marsh, Bowleys Quarters, Kingsville, Joppatowne and Edgemere.

Do not drive underneath wooded areas until the threat has passed, as trees and branches may fall. Roads may become blocked by downed trees, and localized power outages are possible, according to the warning.

A flash flood warning is also in effect for Baltimore County and Baltimore City until 10:15 p.m.