Heavy thunderstorms are expected to push through a large portion of Maryland this afternoon and evening, with forecasters warning that flash flooding is possible across more than a dozen counties.
What’s happening: The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch running from 2 p.m. through this evening for a wide swath of the state. Rainfall rates could reach 2 to 3 inches per hour in some storms.
Where the watch applies: The watch covers Anne Arundel, Carroll, Cecil, Frederick, Northern Baltimore, Southern Baltimore, Northwest and Central/Southeast Howard, Northwest and Central/Southeast Montgomery, Northwest and Southeast Harford, and Prince George’s counties, as well as Washington, D.C., and parts of Northern Virginia.
What’s important: Forecasters say the region is sitting under a tropical air mass that is fueling unusually heavy rainfall. Urban areas along I-95 and locations that have already seen heavy rain in recent days face the greatest flood risk.
How this affects real people: Low-lying roads, streams, creeks, and flood-prone neighborhoods could see rapid water rises. Drivers should watch for standing water on roadways. If a flash flood warning is issued, it means flooding is happening or imminent and residents should move to higher ground immediately.
Also this morning: A separate storm prompted a special weather statement for western Garrett County, where a thunderstorm moving east at 20 mph was producing lightning, heavy rain, and wind gusts of 20 to 30 mph near Oakland, Mountain Lake Park, and surrounding communities. That statement expired at 9:30 a.m.
The flood watch remains in effect through this evening. Residents should monitor updated forecasts from the National Weather Service.
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