Isaias Impact In Northern Virginia: Forecast, How To Prepare

VIRGINIA — Much of the region is under alert as Tropical Storm Isaias continues up the East Coast. With the National Weather Service issuing a tropical storm warning and flash flood watch for DC and much of Northern Virginia, it's time to prepare for potential impacts of flooding rain, wind damage and tidal flooding.

Current models from the National Hurricane Center show Isaias will travel slightly northeast from its Monday morning position off the coast of Florida and reach hurricane strength before arriving at the coast of northeastern South Carolina and southern North Carolina southeast edge of North Carolina. From there, it is forecast to continue up the coastline toward Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.

DC, Northern Virginia (except Loudoun County), Stafford, Spotsylvania and Fredericksburg are included in the tropical storm warning issued Monday. This warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected in the area within the next 36 hours, according to the National Weather Service. These areas could see winds between 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

Limited wind damages are possible, including to porches, awnings, carports, sheds, and unanchored mobile homes. There is potential for unsecured lightweight objects to blow about, tree limbs to fall, roads to be impassible due to debris, and scattered power and communications outages.

While select counties are under the tropical storm warning, a flash flood watch has also been issued for the greater region from Monday afternoon to Tuesday evening. Forecasters expect 3 to 6 inches of rain between late Monday afternoon into much of Tuesday. The amount of rainfall could lead to significant flash flooding of small streams and creeks Monday night into Tuesday evening.

The Virginia Department of Emergency Management urges residents to prepare homes for the severe weather. Here are the preparation steps:

• Clear debris from storm drains and clean your gutters.
• Put your trash can in the garbage or secure your complex’s dumpster by fastening door latches.
• Remove or secure anything from your yard that can become a projectile from damaging winds: swing set, grill, lawn or patio furniture, umbrellas, bird feeder, wind chime, planters, trampolines, and hanging baskets.
• Prune dead tree branches.
• In your garage or shed, move pesticides, cleaning chemicals, and motor fuels as high off the ground as possible in the event flash flooding occurs.
• Know how to report a power outage to your provider and have that information easily accessible. Much of Northern Virginia is covered by Dominion Energy, where outages can be reported at 866-366-4357 or www.dominionenergy.com/outages. Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative customers can report outages to 703-335-0500, 1-888-335-0500 or www.novec.com.
• Have emergency supplies to sustain your household and build a communication plan: VAemergency.gov/emergency-kit.
• Prepare an emergency plan for your family: www.ready.gov/plan.
• Keep a battery-powered radio to follow weather updates.
• Keep your phone charged and get a charging device that doesn’t require electricity.
• Keep a list of important phone numbers handy.

Virginia residents are also advised to follow the Virginia Department of Emergency Management on Twitter and Facebook, as well as the Baltimore-Washington National Weather Service office for the latest weather forecast, advisories, watches or warnings.

Patch is tracking every move of Tropical Storm Isaias. Get all the updates on the storm by subscribing to Patch's free breaking news alerts and daily newsletters.

Additional information on hurricane preparation is available at ready.gov/hurricanes.

SEE ALSO: Tropical Storm Warning For Virginia As Isaias Picks Up Speed