Arlington and the surrounding region is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 9:00 tonight.
Forecasters say the storms have the potential to produce “damaging wind gusts and locally heavy rainfall.”
Some hail is also possible.
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The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood Arlington for the region, specifically mentioning Arlington as an area that might be impacted by heavy rains from a line of thunderstorms.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… CITY OF FAIRFAX IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHERN CITY OF MANASSAS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF MANASSAS PARK IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CENTRAL PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 830 PM EDT
* AT 527 PM EDT… NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED FLASH FLOODING FROM THUNDERSTORMS ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM RESTON TO ALEXANDRIA… MOVING NORTHEAST AT 40 MPH.
* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED BY THE HEAVY RAIN INCLUDE WASHINGTON DC… ARLINGTON… ALEXANDRIA… AND FAIRFAX.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES HAVE FALLEN AND ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE WARNED AREA.
EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS… URBAN AREAS… HIGHWAYS… STREETS AND UNDERPASSES AS WELL AS OTHER DRAINAGE AREAS AND LOW LYING SPOTS.
DO NOT DRIVE YOUR VEHICLE INTO AREAS WHERE THE WATER COVERS THE ROADWAY. THE WATER DEPTH MAY BE TOO GREAT TO ALLOW YOUR CAR TO CROSS SAFELY. MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND.
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Update at 6:30 p.m. — The ground stop at Reagan National has been lifted, but major delays are being reported. From the FAA:
Due to WEATHER / THUNDERSTORMS, there is a Traffic Management Program in effect for traffic arriving Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, Washington, DC (DCA). This is causing some arriving flights to be delayed an average of 3 hours and 27 minutes. To see if you may be affected, select your departure airport and check “Delays by Destination”.
Earlier: Due to severe weather in the area, Reagan National Airport is under a “ground stop” — meaning no flights are arriving or departing.
Dulles International Airport and Baltimore-Washington International Airport are also under a ground stop.
Travelers heading to any local airport should expect significant delays as storms continue to move through the region.
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(Updated at 2:50 p.m.) A strong thunderstorm may be heading in our direction over the next 45 minutes. The National Weather Service has issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning, urging residents to stay alert and seek shelter if necessary.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… SOUTHERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… CITY OF FAIRFAX IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHWESTERN ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… EASTERN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CENTRAL FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 330 PM EDT
* AT 242 PM EDT… NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS OF 60 MPH. THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR LAKE RIDGE… OR 6 MILES NORTH OF DALE CITY… AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… BURKE… MERRIFIELD… MANTUA… FAIRFAX… ANNANDALE… MERRIFIELD… THE I66 AND I495 INTERCHANGE… VIENNA… FALLS CHURCH… PIMMIT HILLS…
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A TORNADO WATCH IS IN EFFECT FOR THE WARNED AREA.
THIS IS A DANGEROUS STORM. IF YOU ARE IN ITS PATH… MOVE INDOORS TO A STURDY BUILDING AND STAY AWAY FROM WINDOWS. WHEN IT IS SAFE TO DO SO… REPORT SEVERE WEATHER TO LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT OR TO THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE.
An earlier Special Weather Statement warned of the possibility of rapidly deteriorating weather conditions.
STORM INTENSITY IS INCREASING… AND SEVERE WEATHER MAY DEVELOP RAPIDLY. REMAIN ALERT… AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION IF WARNINGS ARE ISSUED.
WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 50 MPH ARE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN BRING DOWN LARGE TREE BRANCHES. TAKE SHELTER UNTIL THE STORM HAS PASSED
The National Weather Service has issued a Tornado Watch for Arlington and the rest of the D.C. region. The watch is in effect through 9:00 p.m.
The Arlington Office of Emergency Management issued the following statement about the impending severe weather earlier today:
The National Weather Service has advised that the metropolitan area can expect pop up spotty scattered showers/thunderstorms from mid to late afternoon today. This evening as the cold front approaches, the storm system will be more organized as it moves East. Between 7 and 10 pm, there is a better potential for large hail, 60 mph winds and possible tornado activity especially in those areas that see multiple thunderstorms. Rain totals will be 1-1/2 inches in those areas where multiple storms occur. Flooding may occur in those areas.
During a power outage Dominion Virginia Power has a toll free service number for reporting power outages. 1-866-366-4357. Call if you lose power and use the automated reporting system for fastest access.
Today is also the beginning of hurricane season. It is critical that everyone understand something about a hurricane. There are some simple, low-cost steps each of us and our families can take to get ready for hurricanes or any disaster: Be Informed, Make a Plan, Prepare an emergency kit, and Get Involved.
If you have a smart phone, download the free Arlington Prepares app. There is information about how to prepare, how to respond to specific emergencies and you may download your own personal and contact information. To get started, go to www.arlingtonva.us/oem.
Be Informed:
You already receive Arlington Alerts, but the other ways to get emergency information are through the County’s web site, www.arlingtonva.us, 1700 AM radio, AVN Comcast 25 or Verizon 40 and local media.
Make a Plan:
Making a family disaster plan involves discussing the hazards and threats for your area and what your family would do during an actual emergency. As you create your plan, decide on a meeting place if your family cannot return home, designate an out-of-town friend or relative as a point-of-contact and plan for the specific needs of your household, such as an evacuation shelter for pets or transportation for medical equipment. For more information, visit www.arlingtonva.us/oem.
Prepare an Emergency Kit:
An emergency supply “Go Bag” kit includes, among other things, essential items to last at least three days such as a battery-powered radio and extra batteries, food and water, flashlights, a first aid kit and medications. For more specific information on what to include in your “go bag”, visit www.arlingtonva.us/oem. The Virginia Department of Emergency Management also has information on preparation for emergencies at www.vaemergency.com
Get Involved:
There are several opportunities to become involved in emergency preparedness activities, including assisting should a hurricane hit Arlington. Become a CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) member. The Medical Reserve Corps (MRC) and Volunteer Emergency Support Team (VEST) uses volunteers in emergencies. For information on these volunteer programs, visit www.arlingtonva.us
Tips for Homeowners:
Now is a good time to stroll around your property and prune any dead branches from trees. Treat all downed lines and anything touching them as energized and dangerous! dlp/oem
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Arlington and the surrounding region.
* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… WEST CENTRAL PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… EASTERN ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… SOUTHEASTERN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… SOUTHEASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 1115 PM EDT
* AT 812 PM EDT… NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED VERY HEAVY RAINFALL CAPABLE OF PRODUCING FLASH FLOODING FROM A THUNDERSTORM OVER THE WARNED AREA. RAINFALL RATES OF ONE TO TWO INCHES PER HOUR CAN BE EXPECTED WITH THIS STORM.
* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED BY THE HEAVY RAIN INCLUDE ALEXANDRIA… ARLINGTON… BALLSTON… DUMFRIES… FORT BELVOIR… FRANCONIA… LORTON… NEWINGTON… ROSSLYN… SPRINGFIELD… WOODBRIDGE… HYATTSVILLE… LANDOVER… LANGLEY PARK… ADAMS MORGAN… ANACOSTIA… GEORGETOWN… AND DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS… URBAN AREAS… HIGHWAYS… STREETS AND UNDERPASSES AS WELL AS OTHER DRAINAGE AREAS AND LOW LYING SPOTS.
A FLASH FLOOD WARNING MEANS THAT FLOODING IS IMMINENT OR OCCURRING. IF YOU ARE IN THE WARNING AREA MOVE TO HIGHER GROUND IMMEDIATELY. RESIDENTS LIVING ALONG STREAMS AND CREEKS SHOULD TAKE IMMEDIATE PRECAUTIONS TO PROTECT LIFE AND PROPERTY. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO CROSS SWIFTLY FLOWING WATERS OR WATERS OF UNKNOWN DEPTH BY FOOT OR BY AUTOMOBILE.
A flash flood warning has been issued as heavy rain and thunderstorms continue to move through the area.
Forecasters warn that already-saturated ground may lead to flooding, especially in low-lying areas.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* FLASH FLOOD WARNING FOR… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… WESTERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… EASTERN CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… EASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CENTRAL CHARLES COUNTY IN SOUTHERN MARYLAND…
* UNTIL 145 PM EDT
* AT 1046 AM EDT… NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A NORTH TO SOUTH BAND OF HEAVY RAINFALL EXTENDING FROM WASHINGTON SOUTHWARD TO NEAR PORT TOBACCO… MOVING NORTH ACROSS THE SAME AREAS. HEAVY RAINFALL OVER TWO INCHES IS LIKELY WITHIN THIS BAND OF RAIN.
* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL CONTINUE TO BE AFFECTED BY THE HEAVY RAIN INCLUDE ALEXANDRIA… ARLINGTON… BALLSTON… FORT BELVOIR… FRANCONIA… HYBLA VALLEY… LAKE BARCROFT… LINCOLNIA… MCLEAN… ROSSLYN… BLADENSBURG… CAMP SPRINGS… CHEVERLY… COLLEGE PARK… CORAL HILLS… FRIENDLY… HYATTSVILLE… INDIAN HEAD… LA PLATA… LANGLEY PARK… MARLOW HEIGHTS… OXON HILL… ST. CHARLES… ADAMS MORGAN… ANACOSTIA… AMERICAN UNIVERSITY… GEORGETOWN… KENILWORTH… DOWNTOWN WASHINGTON… US CAPITOL… FORT WASHINGTON… FORT TOTTEN… GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY… GROVETON… HOWARD UNIVERSITY… HUNTINGTON… NATIONAL HARBOR AND PORT TOBACCO RIVER.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
EXCESSIVE RUNOFF FROM HEAVY RAINFALL WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF SMALL CREEKS AND STREAMS… URBAN AREAS… HIGHWAYS… STREETS AND UNDERPASSES AS WELL AS OTHER DRAINAGE AREAS AND LOW LYING SPOTS.
Arlington residents woke up this morning to power outages and scores of downed trees and tree branches, thanks to the high winds and torrential rains of Hurricane Irene.
“It’s just terrible,” said County Board member Walter Tejada as he toured some of the worst scenes of destruction around the county with Acting County Manager Marsha Allgeier and Deputy Police Chief Michael Dunne. While many areas escaped with just a few downed tree limbs, some areas remain blocked and without power due to large trees that fell across roads and power lines.
County and private tree crews, along with crews from Dominion Power, have been working around the clock to clear debris and get power lines back up. As of 3:25 p.m., more than 4,800 Dominion customers were still without power in Arlington.
Arlington County has posted additional damage photos on a dedicated Flickr page.
A flash flood watch has been issued for Arlington and the rest of the D.C. region due to showers and thunderstorms expected to arrive in the area later today.
The National Weather Service says one to two inches of rainfall can be expected in a short period of time.
FROM NOON EDT TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING
* SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP TODAY… AND BE NUMEROUS TO WIDESPREAD THIS AFTERNOON INTO EARLY THIS EVENING. A FEW OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEAVY RAINFALL. WIDESPREAD RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF ONE TO TWO INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED IN THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR THROUGH THIS EVENING. HOWEVER… A BAND OF HEAVIER RAINFALL… PRODUCING RAINFALL IN EXCESS OF TWO INCHES IN JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS… WILL BE POSSIBLE.
Storm Grazes Arlington — Last night’s storms brought wind and torrential rains to much of the region, but only grazed Arlington. Nonetheless, the storm managed to pack enough of a punch to knock down a large branch in Fairlington, near the intersection of S. Utah Street and 32nd Road.
Arlington Among Fuel ‘Teetotalers’ — Arlington residents spend among the least per month on gasoline, according to an analysis of data from major metropolitan areas by Mint.com. Arlington residents are “teetotalers” at $129 per month spent on fuel. That compares to $112 for D.C. residents and $102 for New York City residents, who spend the least. The biggest “guzzler” was San Jose, Ca. at $216 per month per resident. [CommuterPage Blog]
Sun Gazette Editorial Blasts Feuding Dems — The Sun Gazette has seen enough of the “sad spectacle” of the “uniformly amateurish” primary campaigns of state Senate foes Jaime Areizaga-Soto and Barbara Favola. The paper opines that the feuding Democrats have embarked “on a mission of self-immolation, conspiring for whatever bizarre reason to throw away control of the 31st District.” The war of words in the campaign has opened up an opportunity for Republican Caren Merrick to capture the traditionally Democratic seat, the paper suggests. [Sun Gazette]
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Update at 4:10 p.m. — That’s all folks. The storms have moved southeast, out of Arlington.
Update at 4:10 p.m. — N. Vance Street is reported to be blocked at Lee Highway due to a large branch in the roadway. Police are on scene.
Update at 3:55 p.m. — Several manhole covers have been dislodged by the flooding. Dislodged manhole covers have been reported on the 1200 block of S. Scott Street (since taken care of by the fire department) and at 5th Street and and N. Montague Street. There has also been a report of a car that was damaged after driving into an open sewer portal along Columbia Pike.
Update at 3:35 p.m. — A second severe thunderstorm is approaching Arlington. From the county’s Office of Emergency Management:
The National Weather Service has issued a second SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING for Arlington County until 4:15 PM. Doppler radar indicated a thunderstorm approaching the County which has intensified past severe limits. This storm will effect the entire county with heavy rain, large hail, and damaging winds of 60 MPH possible.
Significant cloud to ground lightning is occurring with this storm. All outdoor activities should be postponed until this storm passes. Severe Thunderstorms can produce tornadoes with little or no advanced warning. Residents are urged to seek safe shelter indoors until the storm passes and remain alert for any additional warnings.
Update at 3:35 p.m. — Flashing traffic lights have been reported at Old Dominion Drive and N. Glebe Road, 15th Street and N. Courthouse Road, Columbia Pike and S. Joyce Street, and Lee Highway and N. Harrison Street.
Update at 3:30 p.m. — A transformer fire has been reported on the the 2700 block of N. Wakefield Street. The fire department is investigating.
Update at 3:30 p.m. — Possible traffic issues due to standing water have been reported on Route 50 between Rosslyn and Courthouse, on Route 50 near Washington Boulevard and on Route 50 under the Glebe Road bridge.
Update at 3:10 p.m. — A flash flood warning has been issued for Arlington.
Storms are sweeping through Arlington this afternoon, bringing high winds, torrential rains and frequent lightning.
Numerous activated alarms and flashing traffic signals have been reported as a result of the storm. Some flooding of roadways has also been reported.