Flood Watch Issued: Heavy Rain Expected In NoVA, DC

It's been a wet and dreary week in the DC region, but forecasters say the worst is yet to come. The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch from 2 p.m. Thursday through Friday evening.

That means rain will continue through Friday and get heavy at times. Additional precipitation could total 3 to 5 inches. Flooding around small streams and urban areas is possible throughout the day Thursday.

The flood watch applies to the District of Columbia, Fairfax County, Arlington, County, Falls Church, Alexandria, eastern Loudoun County. Towns in the watch area include Reston,
Herndon, Annandale, Centreville, Chantilly, McLean, Franconia, Arlington, Alexandria, Leesburg, Ashburn, and Sterling. Meanwhile, parts of Western Loudoun County remain under a flood warning until 2:15 p.m. Thursday due to reports of overflowing streams and roads closed.

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While flash flooding cannot be ruled out, the primary concern is flooding of small streams and low-lying areas. Streams are already elevated and soils saturated from earlier rainfall, increasing the flood threat, the Weather Service warns.

"Locally heavy rains are likely at times starting later today and continue Friday and possibly into Saturday," says The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang. "Both today and Friday, daily rainfall records could fall. Showers are more limited by later in the weekend, but tropical air will surge in Sunday to Monday, leading to sauna-like conditions."

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The Latest Forecast

Thursday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. High near 73. Northeast wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.

Thursday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 63. East wind around 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Friday: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. High near 68. East wind 8 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Friday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Low around 59. East wind 6 to 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Saturday: Showers. High near 73. Light and variable wind becoming southeast around 6 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90 percent.

Saturday Night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Sunday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 85. Chance of precipitation is 50 percent.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 67.

Turn around, don't drown

Flooding is one of the leading causes of weather-related deaths in the U.S. with an average of 93 fatalities per year, according to the National Weather Service. More than half of these deaths happen when people try to drive through flooded roadways. The next highest amount is due to walking in or around floodwaters. Because it's impossible to know the exact depth of the water in the roadway, local officials urge residents to avoid driving or walking through flooded roads.

Here are a few things to remember:

• Just 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over and carry off an adult.
• 12 inches of water can float a small car. If that water is moving, it can carry that car away.
• 18 to 24 inches of flowing water can carry away most vehicles, including large SUVs.

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