Howard County Under Flash Flood Warning Wednesday

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Howard County is under a flash flood warning until 8:45 p.m. and a flood warning until 9:30 p.m. after heavy rainfall. People in flood-prone areas should move to higher ground immediately.

Before 6 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was also in the Arbutus area, according to the National Weather Service. It had 60 mph wind gusts and was moving north at 10 mph, officials said.

Up to 2 inches of rain had already fallen by 5:45 p.m., including in the Catonsville and Elkridge areas, officials said. With another 1 to 2 inches possible by 7 p.m., flash flooding was expected.

Creeks and streams, urban areas, highways, streets and underpasses may flood, including in these areas, according to the flash flood warning: Baltimore, Columbia, Pikesville, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Catonsville, Towson, Woodlawn, Randallstown, Milford Mill, Lochearn, Arbutus, Savage-Guilford, Garrison and Lansdowne.

See Also: Main Street Closed During Flash Flood Warning: HoCo Government

PREVIOUS REPORT — Before slow-moving thunderstorms arrive in Maryland, the National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch, including Howard County.

The flash flood watch is in effect Wednesday afternoon through evening and means conditions may develop that lead to a rapid rise in water level, which can be life-threatening.

Forecasters say a cold front will stall over the Baltimore-Washington region Wednesday, bringing with it storms capable of producing 1 to 2 inches of rain with up to 4 inches possible.

Officials say flash flooding is most likely from 2 to 8 p.m., and damaging wind gusts are possible.

Since the region has not yet dried out from the past week's rain — including from Tropical Storm Isaias — National Weather Service forecasters say it will not take much to cause flash flooding.

The flash flood watch is effective from noon to 11 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 12, for these areas:

• Anne Arundel County
• Baltimore City
• Baltimore County
• Calvert County
• Carroll County
• Charles County
• Frederick County
• Harford County
• Howard County
• Montgomery County
• Prince George's County
• St. Mary's County

Get news alerts from Patch.

Cecil County is under a separate flash flood watch from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., while Allegany and Washington counties are under another flash flood watch from noon to 11 p.m.

Here is the Howard County area forecast from the National Weather Service:

See Also:

• Tropical Storm Damage 'Minimal' In Howard County: Officials
• Tropical Storm Isaias Aims For Maryland