Update at noon — The Flash Flood Watch has been cancelled.
Earlier: Arlington County is under a Flash Flood Watch through Monday evening.
The watch, which went into effect at 8 a.m., warns of the possibility of heavy downpours that could cause sudden flooding.
From the National Weather Service:
A Flash Flood Watch has been issued for portions of the area from Monday AM through Monday PM. Showers and scattered thunderstorms may produce heavy rain, which could lead to instances of flash flooding in the watch area. Details: https://t.co/WQsgjJ7UbW #TurnAroundDontDrown pic.twitter.com/ssRJvYzKrT
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 15, 2021
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 8 AM EDT MONDAY THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON…
The Flash Flood Watch continues for
* A portion of northern Virginia, including the following areas: Arlington/Falls Church/Alexandria, Fairfax, Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park and Southern Fauquier.
* From 8 AM EDT Monday through Monday afternoon.
* Showers and scattered thunderstorms are expected to develop just after daybreak Monday morning and persist through the first half of the afternoon. The stronger thunderstorms may be capable of producing 2 to 4 inches of rain per hour.
* This much rain in a short amount of time would result in rapid rises on streams and creeks and in urbanized and poor drainage areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Today’s flooding potential follows flash flooding in parts of Arlington early Sunday morning. Mobile phones buzzed with a Flash Flood Warning after midnight, as storms dumped torrential rainfall at a rate of upwards of 6 inches per hour.
ATTENTION #DC #Alexandria #Fairfax #FallsChurch and #Arlington! This storm system is producing up to 3 inches of rain in 30 MINUTES. FLASH FLOODING IS IMMINENT! Stay put, or get ready to move to high ground if you're in a flood prone area.
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 15, 2021
Parts of I-395 in Arlington became inundated with high standing water. ARLnow has also heard reports of flooded areas along Columbia Pike.
High standing water reported on I-395 at Glebe Rd https://t.co/hAclxTCrQR
— Arlington Now (@ARLnowDOTcom) August 15, 2021
Alexandria was particularly hard-hit by the flash flooding, with extensive flood damage reported in parts of the Del Ray neighborhood.
@capitalweather Del Ray neighborhood of @AlexandriaVA @DrainALX pic.twitter.com/6NQS9ECiHu
— betsywhalen (@betsywhalen) August 15, 2021
Today’s rain is just the start of what’s expected to be a busy week. More downpours, plus the remnants of Tropical Storm Fred, will bring additional flood threats through Thursday, forecasters say.