Flash Flood Warning Issued For Baltimore Metro Area

Baltimore City, Howard County and Baltimore County are 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 have already fallen, including in the Catonsville and Elkridge areas, officials said before 5:45 p.m. An additional 1 to 2 inches may fall before 7 p.m., and flash flooding is expected to begin soon.

In Baltimore, flooding was reported in the southern part of the city.

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.

In Anne Arundel County, Linthicum and Brooklyn Park may also experience flash floods, the warning said.

"If you are in the warned area, move to higher ground immediately," the flash flood warning states. "Residents living along streams and creeks should take immediate precautions to protect life and property."

A flash flood watch remains in effect until 11 p.m.

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

Effective Wednesday afternoon through evening, the flash flood watch means conditions may develop that lead to a rapid rise in water level that 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

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Here is the Baltimore metro area forecast from the National Weather Service: