Flash Floods Strand Cars Across Prince George's: Photo Story

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY, MD — Thunderstorms hovered over Prince George's County Thursday. The powerful pocket of rain proved dangerous, leading to flash floods across the area.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch just before 2 a.m. Thursday. It will last until 12 a.m. Friday.

A flash flood watch means that flash flooding may develop in the near future. A flash flood warning signifies a nearby and ongoing flash flood.

The National Weather Service advises Prince Georgians to monitor local water forecasts at this link. Residents should take immediate action if a flash flood warning emerges, forecasters suggest.

The front of slow-moving storms dumped heavy rains on isolated areas. Though this front lingers, new storms can spin off quickly, the National Weather Service warns.

"Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms may lead to flash flooding," the National Weather Service said in an update. "Potential impacts include rapid rises of water, flooded roads and flooding of structures in low lying areas near streams. Landslides and washouts are also possible."

The towns most at-risk are Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, Clinton, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel and Camp Springs. Though the warning expires at midnight, thunderstorms may continue through the weekend, prolonging the potential for floods.

The Prince George's County Fire Department has already rescued at least five residents from flash floods in Clinton, Brandywine and Fort Washington.

Flooding in the 11900 block of Birchview Drive Clinton stranded a United States Postal Service truck and a sedan. The fire department evacuated all three occupants. Nobody was hurt.

Crews also saved two people form a car in Brandywine. Flooding at the intersection of Cherry Tree Crossing Road and Old Indian Head Road left a minivan stuck in standing water.

The fire department also responded to a car trapped in Fort Washington. The rescue happened near Broad Creek where a flood closed Swan Creek Road between Asbury Drive and Proxmire Drive. It is not clear how many people were in the car.

Fire officials asks residents to avoid driving through pools, as a few inches of water can trap a car or make it float.

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• Flash Floods Slam Anne Arundel County, Swamp Odenton: Photo Story

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