Hurricane Zeta Prompts Flood Watch For Maryland

MARYLAND — The remnants of Hurricane Zeta are expected to bring heavy rains to Maryland Thursday, and flash flooding is a risk. Forecasters said the storm, which is expected to make landfall in Louisiana Wednesday, will be downgraded to a gale-force low pressure area off the Mid-Atlantic coast by Thursday night.

The National Weather Service predicts 2 to 4 inches of rain will fall in much of Maryland by Friday afternoon. Flash flooding is possible.

A flood watch for much of the Baltimore-Washington, D.C., region was issued Wednesday afternoon. It includes all or parts of Carroll, Baltimore, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Howard, and Harford counties, plus the cities of Silver Spring, Bowie, Annapolis, Odenton, Westminster, Bethesda, College Park, Reisterstown, Columbia, Severna Park, Greenbelt, Germantown, Rockville, Jarrettsville, Suitland-Silver Hill, Gaithersburg, Severn, Lusby, Baltimore, Eldersburg, Glen Burnie, Ellicott City, Laurel, and Aberdeen.

Heavy rainfall from Zeta could lead to some flooding of small streams, creeks, and urban areas. Rain amounts of 2 to 3 inches are expected with locally higher amounts possible, especially in the metro areas, the weather service said.

Scattered incidents of flooding due to heavy rain are possible. Clogged drains due to leaf debris may cause additional flooding concerns, especially in urban areas.

Do not enter or cross flowing water or water of unknown depth. Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe.

A flood watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.

By Thursday, heavy rainfall is expected in the Mid-Atlantic states near and in advance of Zeta. This rainfall will lead to flash, urban, small stream, and minor river flooding, the weather service said.

Most likely rainfall amounts appear to be around 2 to 3 inches for most locations, said the NWS office in Baltimore. However, locally higher amounts around 4 to 5 inches are possible.

Scattered instances of flooding are possible, but the recent dry conditions along with the fact that rainfall should be spread out lowers the flood risk. A flood watch may be needed for portions of the state, the NWS said.

"It will turn out blustery and chillier Friday with northwest winds behind the departing low, but winds will diminish some for Friday night," the weather service said. "(Minimum) temps may drop below freezing for mainly locations, especially west of Interstate 95."

Maryland officials urged residents to prepare for heavy rains and the possibility of flooding.

Here's the latest forecast:

Wednesday: Areas of fog before noon. Otherwise, mostly cloudy, with a high near 71. West wind 5 to 7 mph.

Wednesday Night: Rain, mainly after 3am. Low around 52. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain. High near 57. Northeast wind 7 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Thursday Night: Rain. Low around 44. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Friday: Rain before 9am, then showers likely, mainly between 9am and 3pm. High near 50. North wind around 14 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%.

Friday Night: A slight chance of showers before 9pm. Areas of frost after 4am. Otherwise, partly cloudy, with a low around 34. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: Areas of frost before 10am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 50.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40.

Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 60.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37.