Baltimore County Officials Warn of Heavy Rain with Tropical Storm Andrea

Baltimore County Emergency Management officials are monitoring Tropical Storm Andrea in anticipation of what is likely to be heavy rain.

"This is the type of event we've seen many times before," said Elise Armacost, a county emergency management spokeswoman. "This storm is coming up the East Coast and will bring a lot of rain."

Tropical Storm Andrea, the first named storm of the 2013 Hurricane season, is expected to move up the East Coast over the next 48 hours, according to the National Weather Service.

Armacost said the county has participated in briefings with federal weather forecasters.

The forecast as of Thursday afternoon projects that the storm will pass near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay and bring 2 to 4 inches of rain to the central Maryland area with as much as 6 inches possible in some isolated areas, Armacost said.

"Just because it's not a big storm doesn't mean it can't have a big impact," Armacost said.

Flash flooding in low lying areas is possible between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. Friday.

It is not yet clear if the storm will cause tidal flooding as was seen in 2003 with Tropical Storm Isabel.

"The public should be aware that this system is on its way and be prepared for heavy rain fall," Armacost said.

Armacost said motorists should pay particular attention to standing water on roadways and not attempt to cross in those situations.

Updates on the conditions in the county and its response to Tropical Storm Andrea can be found on the county's emergency management Twitter account and on Facebook.