Halethorpe Weather-Watch  

...FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH TUESDAY EVENING...
The Flash Flood Watch continues for
* Portions of Maryland, The District of Columbia, Virginia, and
West Virginia, including the following areas, in Maryland,
Anne Arundel, Calvert, Carroll, Central and Southeast Howard,
Central and Southeast Montgomery, Charles, Frederick, Northern
Baltimore, Northwest Harford, Northwest Howard, Northwest
Montgomery, Prince Georges, Southeast Harford, Southern
Baltimore, St. Marys, and Washington. The District of
Columbia. In Virginia, Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria,
Clarke, Eastern Loudoun, Fairfax, Frederick, King George,
Northern Fauquier, Prince William, Southern Fauquier,
Stafford, Warren, and Western Loudoun. In West Virginia,
Berkeley, Hampshire, Jefferson, and Morgan.
* Through Tuesday evening
* Rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to
start spreading northward late tonight and continue into Tuesday
evening. Widespread rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are
expected with localized higher amounts possible. Rain amounts
will be highest near and east of the Interstate 95 corridor.
* This amount of rain is likely to result in significant flash
flooding of small streams and creeks Monday night into Tuesday
evening.

A Flash Flood Watch means that conditions may develop that lead
to flash flooding. Flash flooding is a very dangerous situation.
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action
should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.

This product covers Eastern West Virginia, Central and Western Maryland, Northern and Northwestern
Virginia, and District of Columbia
**STRONG WINDS AND FLOODING RAINFALL LIKELY TONIGHT AND TUESDAY**
NEW INFORMATION
---------------
* CHANGES TO WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- None
* CURRENT WATCHES AND WARNINGS:
- A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for Anne Arundel,
Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria, Calvert, Carroll, Central
and Southeast Howard, Central and Southeast Montgomery,
Charles, District of Columbia, Fairfax, King George, Northern
Baltimore, Northwest Harford, Northwest Howard, Northwest
Montgomery, Prince Georges, Prince William/Manassas/Manassas
Park, Southeast Harford, Southern Baltimore, Spotsylvania, St.
Marys, and Stafford
* STORM INFORMATION:
- About 440 miles south-southwest of Washington DC or about 470
miles south-southwest of Baltimore MD
- 32.8N 79.0W
- Storm Intensity 75 mph
- Movement North-northeast or 15 degrees at 16 mph
SITUATION OVERVIEW
------------------
Hurricane Isaias will approach from the Carolinas tonight and move
across the Chesapeake Bay region Tuesday morning. The center of the
storm will rapidly exit to the northeast Tuesday afternoon.
Significant flash flooding of small streams and creeks is likely
tonight into Tuesday evening as rainfall associated with Isaias
spreads northward. Widespread rainfall totals of 3 to 6 inches are
expected with locally higher amounts possible. The highest amounts are
expected east of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and particularly over the
I-95 corridor late tonight through Tuesday.
Tropical storm force winds are expected along and east of the
I-95 Corridor and north central Maryland. Tree damage and power
outages are possible in this area. The strongest winds are expected
across southern Maryland, where tree damage and power outages are more
likely. Moderate coastal flooding is also likely along the western
shores of the Chesapeake Bay and at Washington DC Southwest Waterfront
on Tuesday. Minor coastal flooding is likely along other tidal waters.
POTENTIAL IMPACTS
-----------------
* FLOODING RAIN:
Protect against life-threatening rainfall flooding having possible
extensive impacts near and east of I-95 corridor. Potential
impacts include:
- Major rainfall flooding may prompt many evacuations and rescues.
- Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in
multiple places. Small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and
ditches may become dangerous rivers. In mountain areas,
destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while
increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood
control systems and barriers may become stressed.
- Flood waters can enter many structures within multiple
communities, some structures becoming uninhabitable or washed
away. Many places where flood waters may cover escape routes.
Streets and parking lots become rivers of moving water with
underpasses submerged. Driving conditions become dangerous.
Many road and bridge closures with some weakened or washed out.
Prepare for dangerous rainfall flooding having possible limited to
significant impacts across other locations near and east of the Blue
Ridge Mountains.
* WIND:
Protect against dangerous wind having possible significant impacts
across southern Maryland. Potential impacts in this area
include:
- Some damage to roofing and siding materials, along with damage
to porches, awnings, carports, and sheds. A few buildings
experiencing window, door, and garage door failures. Mobile
homes damaged, especially if unanchored. Unsecured lightweight
objects become dangerous projectiles.
- Several large trees snapped or uprooted, but with greater
numbers in places where trees are shallow rooted. Several
fences and roadway signs blown over.
- Some roads impassable from large debris, and more within urban
or heavily wooded places. A few bridges, causeways, and access
routes impassable.
- Scattered power and communications outages, but more prevalent
in areas with above ground lines.
Also, protect against hazardous wind having possible limited impacts
elsewhere near and east of the Interstate 95 corridor.
* SURGE:
Protect against locally hazardous surge having possible limited
impacts across along the Tidal Potomac River and along the western shore of
the Chesapeake Bay. Potential impacts in this area include:
- Localized inundation with storm surge flooding mainly along
immediate shorelines and in low-lying spots, or in areas
farther inland near where higher surge waters move ashore.
- Sections of near-shore roads and parking lots become overspread
with surge water. Driving conditions dangerous in places where
surge water covers the road.
- Moderate beach erosion. Heavy surf also breaching dunes, mainly
in usually vulnerable locations. Strong rip currents.
- Minor to locally moderate damage to marinas, docks, boardwalks,
and piers. A few small craft broken away from moorings.
* TORNADOES:
Protect against a tornado event having possible limited impacts
across southern Maryland. Potential impacts include:
- The occurrence of isolated tornadoes can hinder the execution
of emergency plans during tropical events.
- A few places may experience tornado damage, along with power
and communications disruptions.
- Locations could realize roofs peeled off buildings, chimneys
toppled, mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned,
large tree tops and branches snapped off, shallow-rooted trees
knocked over, moving vehicles blown off roads, and small boats
pulled from moorings.
Elsewhere across Eastern West Virginia, Central and Western Maryland,
Northern and Northwestern Virginia, and District of Columbia, little
to no impact is anticipated.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS
----------------------------------
PREPAREDNESS INFORMATION:
Now is the time to complete all preparations to protect life and
property in accordance with your emergency plan. Ensure you are in a
safe location before the onset of strong winds or possible flooding.
Failure to adequately shelter may result in serious injury or loss of
life. Always heed the advice of local officials and comply with any
orders that are issued. Remember, during the storm 9 1 1 Emergency
Services may not be able to immediately respond if conditions are
unsafe. This should be a big factor in your decision making.
Keep cell phones well charged. Cell phone chargers for automobiles
can be helpful, but be aware of your risk for deadly carbon monoxide
poisoning if your car is left idling in a garage or other poorly
ventilated area.
Rapidly rising flood waters are deadly. If you are in a flood-prone
area, consider moving to higher ground. Never drive through a flooded
roadway. Remember, turn around don`t drown!
If a Tornado Warning is issued for your area, be ready to shelter
quickly, preferably away from windows and in an interior room not
prone to flooding. If driving, scan the roadside for quick shelter
options.
Closely monitor weather.gov, NOAA Weather radio or local news outlets
for official storm information. Be ready to adapt to possible changes
to the forecast. Ensure you have multiple ways to receive weather
warnings.
* ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION:
- For information on appropriate preparations see ready.gov
- For information on creating an emergency plan see getagameplan.org
- For additional disaster preparedness information see redcross.org
NEXT UPDATE
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The next local statement will be issued by the National Weather
Service in Baltimore MD/Washington DC around 1130 PM EDT, or sooner
if conditions warrant.