Cars Inundated As Flash Flooding Hits Montgomery County

BETHESDA, MD — Authorities say Montgomery County drivers are being rescued from swamped vehicles as flash flood hit the area Monday morning. The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood warning until 1:45 p.m. for southern parts of the county after torrential downpours moved through the area.

Communities in the warning area include Bethesda, Olney, Poolesville, Potomac and North Bethesda.

At 10:19 a.m., emergency management reported widespread flash flooding across the area that was still ongoing, even though the heavy rain has ended, the Weather Service said. Three to five inches of rain fell earlier across this area, and many waterways are still rapidly rising.

A separate flash flood warning includes Germantown, Rockville and Gaithersburg until 11:15 a.m.

Drivers and pedestrians who encounter water-covered roads should turn around; don't drown. A flash flood warning means that flash flooding, or a rapid rise in water level that can be life-threatening, is occurring or imminent.

Most of Montgomery County is under a flood warning and there are reports of multiple instances of water rescues, according to a press release from the county. Residents are asked to delay travel plans, if possible, until weather conditions improve.

Flooding is the leading cause of severe weather-related deaths in the U.S. claiming on average nearly 100 lives a year. Most of these deaths occur in vehicles when people try to drive through flooded roads. Many other lives are lost when people walk into or near flood waters. This happens because people underestimate the force and power of water, especially when it’s moving.

• Don’t walk or drive into flood waters
• Flooding is the leading cause of severe weather-related deaths in the U.S. Most of these deaths occur in motor vehicles when people attempt to drive through flooded roadways.
• Six inches of flood water can knock an adult off their feet.
• 12 to 18 inches of flowing water is powerful enough to carry away most vehicles including large SUVs.