Storm Damage Closes Covid Testing Booth — From Arlington County: “The Curative testing kiosk at Virginia Highlands will be closed today and tomorrow (Sept. 20 & 21) as it repairs storm damage. Visit our other kiosks at Arlington Mill Community Center and Court House Plaza.” [Twitter]
Frank O’Leary Pushing for Museum Funding — “Now, in retirement, the former Arlington treasurer is equally unfiltered, when it comes to issues dear to his heart. And few, at the moment, are more dear to O’Leary than the effort to obtain the county government’s participation in funding renovation and expansion of the Arlington Historical Society’s Hume School museum. ‘It is time for our local government to step forward. Every local government in Northern Virginia – except Arlington – has fully funded one or more local museums,’ he said.” [Sun Gazette]
Inner Ear’s Visual Art — “Don Zientara is known for his ears. I wanted to hear about his eyes. ‘Right here is a painting by Jay Stuckey, who was a punk rocker in D.C.,’ says Zientara, showing me around the control room at his famed Inner Ear Recording Studios in Arlington… After more than 30 years in this former Hair Cuttery training center, Inner Ear is closing, making way for redevelopment.” [Washington Post]
Arlington GOP Comms Director Quoted — “Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D., N.Y.) has called Republicans hypocritical for greenlighting trillions in spending under former President Donald Trump only to turn around and object under President Biden. Matthew Hurtt, who became active in politics during the tea party’s rise and is communications director for the Arlington County Republican Committee in Virginia, said Mr. Schumer ‘has got a good point… our tribal politics means frequently people don’t hold their own side accountable.'” [Wall Street Journal]
(Updated at 9:25 p.m.) Arlington County and the immediate D.C. area, as well as points north, are under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch tonight.
The watch is in effect until midnight. Forecasters say an approaching cold front will bring storms and potentially damaging winds to the area over the next few hours. Heavy rain and hail are also expected.
Just before 9:30 p.m., a Flash Flood Watch was also issued for Arlington. The watch is in effect until 4 a.m.
More from the National Weather Service:
924 PM EDT WED SEP 8 2021
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM EDT THURSDAY…
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS EXPANDED THE
* FLASH FLOOD WATCH TO INCLUDE PORTIONS OF DC, CENTRAL MARYLAND AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA, INCLUDING THE FOLLOWING AREAS: IN DC, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN CENTRAL MARYLAND, ANNE ARUNDEL AND PRINCE GEORGES. IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA, ARLINGTON/FALLS CHURCH/ALEXANDRIA, EASTERN LOUDOUN, FAIRFAX, PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK AND WESTERN LOUDOUN.
* UNTIL 4 AM EDT THURSDAY.
* SHOWERS AND SCATTERED THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TONIGHT. AVERAGE RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF ONE-HALF TO ONE INCH IS EXPECTED. HOWEVER, THUNDERSTORMS WILL CONTAIN VERY HEAVY RAINFALL WITH RAINFALL RATES AROUND 1 TO 3 INCHES PER HOUR. LOCALIZED RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 2 TO 4 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE.
* HEAVY AMOUNTS OF RAIN IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME MAY CAUSE CREEKS AND STREAMS TO RAPIDLY RISE OUT OF THEIR BANKS AS WELL AS THE POTENTIAL FOR FLASH-FLOODING IN URBAN AREAS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for parts of Maryland and southern Pennsylvania until Midnight EDT. The main threats will be damaging winds and hail. Follow @NWS_BaltWash and @NWSStateCollege for the latest warning information. pic.twitter.com/LfTUXJtiQP
Dominion crews making repairs along Lorcom Lane (photo courtesy Dave Koch)
North Arlington outage (via Dominion)
About 1,500 homes and businesses are without power in Arlington after heavy rain and some gusty winds from Hurricane Ida’s remnants.
Most of the outages are in neighborhoods along and north of Route 29, including Cherrydale, Maywood and Donaldson Run. Dominion reports about 1,350 in the area.
The outages may be related to a transformer fire along Lorcom Lane this afternoon, which appeared to be caused by a fallen tree or large tree branch.
Dominion crews are on the scene making repairs. The company estimates that power will be back on between 8 p.m.-1 a.m., according to its website.
Another 150 Dominion customers are in the dark due to an outage centered around 23rd Street S., in the Crystal City and Aurora Highlands neighborhoods.
The power company says power should be restored to that area by 3 a.m.
So far Arlington has dodged the worst of Hurricane Ida’s remnants this afternoon, but the storm system is still having some local impacts.
With a Flash Flood Watch and a Tornado Watch still in effect, Arlington Public Schools cancelled all afternoon and evening activities on school grounds.
From APS:
All activities scheduled in Arlington Public Schools or on school grounds for this afternoon and evening are canceled, due to inclement weather, including extracurricular activities, athletics, team practices, adult education classes, field trips, after-school programs, and other school-based activities. The afternoon Extended Day Program will remain open until 6 p.m. Extended Day requests families pick up students as early as possible. We will continue to monitor the weather and provide updates as necessary.
Also closing early: county-run Covid testing, rec centers and activities.
ALERT: Parks and Recreation will be closing centers & cancelling activities beginning at 4 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 1 due to the impending storm.#arlingtonva
Arlington is within an area identified as a tornado risk, but the heavy storm activity has been mostly concentrated in Maryland near the bay. A tornado ripped through Annapolis and nearby communities within the past hour, causing damage.
SPC showing that DC Metro and points east have the greatest threat for tornadoes over the next few hours. pic.twitter.com/iZgfpx8gXp
Arlington has seen heavy rain this afternoon, which — after the downpours that accompanied a severe storm overnight — has caused some local streams to swell. No major flooding has been reported in the county.
On-and-off rain showers are expected to continue into the evening, before ending by early morning Thursday. Additional storms are also possible around dinnertime.
Models have maybe one final round worth watching between about 5-8pm for tornado risks but things should steadily become calmer through the evening hours with lighter rains ending around midnight. Hang in there folks!! We’re making it. Stay safe ⛈ pic.twitter.com/CGIfZprmDs
Screenshot of lightning striking above Ballston Quarter (via Jordan Tessler/@terpweather)
Screenshot of lightning striking above Ballston Quarter (via Jordan Tessler/@terpweather)
(Updated at 11:50 a.m.) If the early morning lightning storm didn’t wake you up, congratulations: you’re either an exceptionally deep sleeper or have some very high quality windows.
A supercell thunderstorm spawned ahead of the remnants of Hurricane Ida brought exceptionally frequent lightning and thunder to the area between 3-4 a.m. The light show and the loud booms awakened numerous local residents, not to mention their dogs and kids.
One Ballston resident and weather enthusiast even captured a bolt of lightning striking a building above Ballston Quarter mall.
Yeah, that'll get your attention, when lightning strikes across the street. Noped out of the doorway and straight into bed pic.twitter.com/TVfAYj6A8m
The bolt — one among many during the storm, which also packed torrential rainfall and prompted both a Flood Warning and a Severe Thunderstorm Warning — set off fire alarms in the area.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Arlington, Fairfax, City of Alexandria, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church until 3:45PM. Possible hazards include 60mph wind gusts, heavy rain, and frequent lightning. #vawxpic.twitter.com/PXX0DYFYsF
A map of the lightning strikes last night, below, shows the degree to which Arlington was peppered by mother nature’s fury.
Lightning strikes early Wednesday morning (via lightningmaps.org)
Luckily, there were no reports of major flooding in Arlington as a result of the storm, unlike parts of Fairfax County and Montgomery County, where water rescues took place. There were some reports of storm damage, including a large tree branch that went through a home’s roof near the intersection of Military Road and Route 29 in Cherrydale, at least one tree down along the GW Parkway, and multiple trees down on Roosevelt Island.
A Flash Flood Watch for Arlington and the region remains in effect through Thursday morning.
Be Weather Aware Today (Wed) & Tonight! Tornado and Flash Flooding Threat. Be ready to act if NWS warnings are issued for your area. Also be aware of ongoing flooding in some locations along the I-95 corridor this A.M. If you encounter a flooded road, Turn Around/Don't Drown. pic.twitter.com/P60d8wy684
As our Warm Front pushed north, SPC has outlined areas east of the Blue Ridge for a likely Tornado Watch. Atmosphere to start destabilizing, leading to more severe conditions. Watching closely. #vawx#mdwx#dcwx#tornado#dmvpic.twitter.com/e75GtHfL3s
Expected track of the remnants of Hurricane Ida (via National Weather Service)
(Updated at noon) The remnants of Hurricane Ida are heading our way, and forecasters are already warning of potential flooding.
Ida has ravaged portions of Louisiana and Mississippi since making landfall as a Category 4 storm Sunday afternoon. It knocked out power to more than a million homes and businesses, including the entire city of New Orleans; interrupted 911 service; and caused catastrophic flooding, prompting numerous water rescues.
Now a tropical storm, Ida is on a northeasterly track that is expected to put its remnants squarely over the D.C. area starting Wednesday.
Two days ahead of Ida’s arrival, the National Weather Service this morning issued a Flash Flood Watch, to take effect from 11 a.m. Wednesday to 8 a.m. Thursday. Some 2-5 inches of rain could fall during that time.
Forecasters are also warning of the potential for severe weather or even tornadoes spawned by Ida.
“Heavy tropical rainfall could result in considerable flash flooding,” NWS wrote. “A few severe thunderstorms are possible Wednesday into Wednesday night. Damaging wind gusts and a brief tornado are the main threats.”
More from NWS:
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING…
The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a
* Flash Flood Watch for portions of DC, Maryland and Virginia…
* From Wednesday morning through Thursday morning.
* The remnants of Ida will interact with a stalled front, resulting in a prolonged period of heavy rainfall beginning Wednesday morning and continuing through Wednesday night. Rainfall amounts of 2 to 4 inches are expected, with localized amounts up to 6 inches possible.
* This amount of heavy rainfall will not only result in the potential for considerable flash flooding of creeks, small streams, and urban areas, but also the potential for river flooding on the main stem rivers.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
Strong storms are also possible tonight (Monday), with the arrival of a cold front that will end our stretch of sweltering weather and temperatures in the 90s.
“Isolated damaging wind gusts are possible this afternoon and evening,” NWS wrote. “An isolated instance of flooding is also possible.”
Just before noon, a Flash Flood Watch was issued for Monday afternoon.
1148 AM EDT Mon Aug 30 2021
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING…
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM WEDNESDAY MORNING
THROUGH THURSDAY MORNING…
The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a
* Flash Flood Watch for portions of DC, Maryland and Virginia…
* Until 10 PM EDT this evening.
* Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms are likely this afternoon and evening, some of which may produce a few inches of rain in a short period of time.
* Heavy rainfall in a short period of time would result in rapid rises of water in small streams and creeks, and in urban and poor drainage areas.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
You should monitor later forecasts and be prepared to take action should Flash Flood Warnings be issued.
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect from 2pm this afternoon through 10pm this evening. Showers and strong thunderstorms will develop and push eastward across the region. Aside from gusty winds and hail, this activity will bring heavy downpours which could lead to flash flooding. pic.twitter.com/LvK8ySuDtp
Update at 4:20 p.m. — A Flood Warning has now been issued for part of Arlington.
BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
FLOOD WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
411 PM EDT FRI AUG 27 2021
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* FLOOD WARNING FOR URBAN AREA AND SMALL STREAM IN… NORTHWESTERN DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… SOUTHEASTERN MONTGOMERY COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… NORTHWESTERN PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… NORTHWESTERN ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… NORTHEASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE NORTHEASTERN CITY OF FAIRFAX IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 715 PM EDT.
* AT 411 PM EDT, DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED HEAVY RAIN DUE TO THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING IS ONGOING OR EXPECTED TO BEGIN SHORTLY IN THE WARNED AREA. BETWEEN 1 AND 2 INCHES OF RAIN HAVE FALLEN.
* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE… ARLINGTON… BETHESDA… ANNANDALE… COLLEGE PARK… FAIRFAX… LANGLEY PARK… VIENNA… FALLS CHURCH… MANTUA… PIMMIT HILLS… MCLEAN… FORT TOTTEN… POTOMAC… OAKTON… TYSONS CORNER… HYATTSVILLE… TAKOMA PARK… MERRIFIELD… ADELPHI… LAKE BARCROFT…
THIS INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING FLOOD PRONE ROADS:
MILITARY ROAD AT 36TH ROAD AT GULF BRANCH…
18TH STREET AT UPTON STREET…
17TH STREET NORTH AT NORTH BUCHANAN ST…
BEACH DR FROM BROAD BRANCH RD TO PINEY BRANCH PKWY…
PICKETT RD AT ACCOTINK CREEK NEAR OLD PICKETT RD…
ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE WARNED AREA.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED ROADS. MOST FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN VEHICLES.
LWX issues Flood Warning for District of Columbia [DC] and Montgomery, Prince Georges [MD] and Arlington, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church, Fairfax [VA] till Aug 27, 7:15 PM EDT https://t.co/6lbPIsR3LCpic.twitter.com/eABa3IadHm
Earlier: Northern portions of Arlington County are under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.
A strong storm that’s currently over Reston and parts of Montgomery County is moving east and may affect parts of Arlington. The strong is packing damaging winds up to 60 mph, according to the National Weather Service.
More from NWS:
BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
305 PM EDT FRI AUG 27 2021
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING…
* UNTIL 345 PM EDT.
* AT 304 PM EDT, SEVERE THUNDERSTORMS WERE LOCATED ALONG A LINE EXTENDING FROM MONTGOMERY VILLAGE TO NEAR POTOMAC TO RESTON, MOVING NORTHEAST AT 20 MPH.
HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS.
SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.
IMPACT…DAMAGING WINDS WILL CAUSE SOME TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES TO FALL. THIS COULD INJURE THOSE OUTDOORS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE HOMES AND VEHICLES. ROADWAYS MAY BECOME BLOCKED BY DOWNED TREES. LOCALIZED POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. UNSECURED LIGHT OBJECTS MAY BECOME PROJECTILES.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON, ROCKVILLE, BETHESDA, GAITHERSBURG, RESTON, OLNEY, HERNDON, LANGLEY PARK, VIENNA, FALLS CHURCH, PIMMIT HILLS, MCLEAN, AMERICAN LEGION BRIDGE, ASPEN HILL, POTOMAC, NORTH BETHESDA, OAKTON, MONTGOMERY VILLAGE, NORTH POTOMAC AND FAIRLAND.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Silver Spring MD, Rockville MD, Bethesda MD until 3:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/JyHEZbEKYS
Update at 4:25 p.m. — “Multiple trees” are reported to be down near the intersection of 14th Street S. and S. Pollard Street in Douglas Park, and along I-66 near the Lee Highway/Route 29 exit, according to the National Weather Service.
Update at 4:10 p.m. — Thousands are without power in Arlington as a result of the storm. Nearly 3,500 homes and businesses are in the dark, according to a Dominion outage map.
Damage is being reported as a result of the storm’s strong winds. On 22nd Street N. at Military Road firefighters are on scene of a large tree that fell, took down power lines and caused a reported transformer explosion. On the 3900 block of Vacation Lane, a tree reportedly fell into a house.
The outages are causing problems, meanwhile, like a reported stuck elevator with people in it at the Costco in Pentagon City.
Local residents have been reporting hail, booming thunder, and standing water in roadways throughout the county. The Severe Thunderstorm Warning has been extended until 4:45 p.m. and northern Arlington is under a new warning.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Silver Spring MD, Bethesda MD, McLean VA until 4:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/4uGyTLyuCB
Update at 3:50 p.m. — The storm appears to be expanding on radar. In Ballston, very strong winds have knocked down furniture in sidewalk cafes.
The National Weather Service, meanwhile, just issued a Flood Warning for Arlington.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DC-ARLINGTON VA-
345 PM EDT THU AUG 26 2021
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* FLOOD WARNING FOR… WEST CENTRAL DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 645 PM EDT.
* AT 345 PM EDT, DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED HEAVY RAIN DUE TO THUNDERSTORMS. FLOODING IS ONGOING OR EXPECTED TO BEGIN SHORTLY IN THE WARNED AREA. BETWEEN 0.5 AND 1 INCH OF RAIN HAS FALLEN.
* SOME LOCATIONS THAT WILL EXPERIENCE FLOODING INCLUDE… ARLINGTON… ALEXANDRIA… ROSSLYN… CRYSTAL CITY… REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT… NATIONALS PARK… GEORGETOWN… BALLSTON… ROCK CREEK… THE WHITE HOUSE… CHERRYDALE… BARCROFT… THE MALL…
ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES ARE POSSIBLE IN THE WARNED AREA.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
TURN AROUND, DON’T DROWN WHEN ENCOUNTERING FLOODED ROADS. MOST FLOOD DEATHS OCCUR IN VEHICLES.
#BREAKING: New Flood Warning has been issued for portions of Arlington and DC until 6:45PM. Between 0.5-1 inch of rain has fallen and an additional 1-2 inches possible. Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. #VAwx#DCwxhttps://t.co/WUO6CybhRO
— Washingtonian Weather Geeks (@WashingtonianWx) August 26, 2021
Earlier: Most of Arlington is under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning.
The warning was issued after a strong storm popped up over Arlington and Alexandria, with heavy rain and frequent lightning.
More from the National Weather Service:
BULLETIN – IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE BALTIMORE MD/WASHINGTON DC
331 PM EDT THU AUG 26 2021
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… WEST CENTRAL PRINCE GEORGES COUNTY IN CENTRAL MARYLAND… ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… EAST CENTRAL FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… THE CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 415 PM EDT.
* AT 331 PM EDT, A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WAS LOCATED OVER ARLINGTON, MOVING NORTHEAST AT 10 MPH.
HAZARD…60 MPH WIND GUSTS.
SOURCE…RADAR INDICATED.
IMPACT…DAMAGING WINDS WILL CAUSE SOME TREES AND LARGE BRANCHES TO FALL. THIS COULD INJURE THOSE OUTDOORS, AS WELL AS DAMAGE HOMES AND VEHICLES. ROADWAYS MAY BECOME BLOCKED BY DOWNED TREES. LOCALIZED POWER OUTAGES ARE POSSIBLE. UNSECURED LIGHT OBJECTS MAY BECOME PROJECTILES.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ARLINGTON, ALEXANDRIA, ANNANDALE, HUNTINGTON, CORAL HILLS, BLADENSBURG, NATIONAL HARBOR, NATIONALS PARK, FEDEX FIELD, HOWARD UNIVERSITY, GALLAUDET UNIVERSITY, FORT TOTTEN, REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT, ROSSLYN, CRYSTAL CITY, RFK STADIUM, LANDOVER, LINCOLNIA, HYATTSVILLE AND TAKOMA PARK.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
FOR YOUR PROTECTION MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A BUILDING.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Washington DC, Arlington VA, Alexandria VA until 4:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/g8mtdbckQg
County Board Member Talks Gondola — “Christian Dorsey (D) said the county will have to decide whether it makes sense to commit public money to the project. ‘It’s a fairly short walk from the Rosslyn Metro station to that station in Georgetown,’ he said. In 2017, the county board said in a letter that it would not fund the gondola project despite agreeing to commit $35,000 to a feasibility study. ‘We viewed it as more of a luxury concept than an essential transportation service,’ Dorsey said.” [Washington Post]
Alexandria Mayor Gabs About Gondola — “‘Gondola, yes or no?’ Sherwood asked. ‘Anything that provides new transportation options is a good thing,’ Wilson said. ‘We’ve experimented more with ferries. The river is typically the challenge.'” [ALXnow]
Some Residents Remain Amazon Averse — “Amazon’s efforts to integrate its massive HQ2 campus into its Arlington community have come in all shapes and sizes. And while some of its neighbors acknowledge those efforts, they point to some key unanswered questions around the tech giant’s engagement strategy and eventual effects on their terrain. Still, many remain positive about the latest, and biggest, corporate addition to their communities.” [Washington Business Journal]
GMU Mulls Ways to Enliven Arlington Campus — “More vibrant outdoor areas and the potential of mid-level pedestrian bridges connecting academic buildings are among the possibilities to help the Arlington campus of George Mason University as it grows and evolves. Efforts should be focuses on ‘bringing some life and energy’ to areas like the exterior courtyard area fronting Fairfax Drive, said Gregory Janks, the consultant leading an effort to reimagine Mason’s Fairfax, Arlington and Prince William campuses.” [Sun Gazette]
New Bikeshare Station in Arlington Mill — From Capital Bikeshare: “STATION ALERT: Check out the newly installed station at 8th Rd and S Frederick St in Arlington.” [Twitter]
JBG Sells Hotels to Fund Development — “A fund managed by JBG Smith Properties is selling off two hotels near Reagan National Airport as the developer readies for still more construction in and around Arlington and Alexandria… In an earnings call this month, JBG Smith CEO Matt Kelly said the company would use asset sales, along with ground leases and recapitalizations, to harvest some of the value of its properties as it readies an extensive development pipeline totaling nearly 10 million square feet.” [Washington Business Journal]
Ballston: Manhattan Near the Potomac — “Three [census] tracts make a slice of Ballston the highest-density residential neighborhood in Greater Washington. For decades, Arlington’s plans have encouraged high-rise residential and office on the blocks immediately along the Orange Line corridor, while strictly limiting additional homes even a short walk away. All those people in close proximity can support a wide array of dining choices and retailers, including multiple groceries and pharmacies; the tract’s 94 Walk Score makes it a ‘walker’s paradise.'” [GGWash]
Local Storms Not Getting Significantly Worse — “One local weather expert says he hasn’t seen much evidence to suggest D.C. storms in recent years have been getting more severe, or even more frequent. ‘In some years we have a lot, in some years we have very little, depending on how the day-to-day weather trends add up over the course of the year,’ said Christopher Strong, a Sterling, Virginia-based warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service.” [DCist]
Now a tropical depression after landfall in the Florida Panhandle, the bulk of the storm is expected to stay west of the metro area, tracking over West Virginia. But Arlington and surrounding areas are still expected to get soaked by heavy rains caused by Fred.
The National Weather Service this evening issued a Flash Flood Watch for the area, starting at 8 p.m. tonight (Tuesday) and extending to 10 p.m. Wednesday.
A Flash Flood Watch is in effect this evening through Wed evening. The remnants of Fred will move north along the Appalachians. Frequent showers and embedded thunderstorms will result in rain rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Rain totals of 3 inches possible. pic.twitter.com/YyA3j9aZKr
* Multiple rounds of heavy showers and thunderstorms will affect the region from this evening through Wednesday evening. Tropical moisture will lead to potential precipitation rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. Localized storm total rain amounts in excess of 3 inches are possible.
* Heavy rain over a short amount of time may 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.
Arlington and the entire D.C. area is under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch. under 8 p.m. Forecasters say storms packing frequent lightning, hail, and damaging wind gusts up to 70 mph are possible later today.
More from the National Weather Service, via Twitter:
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for parts of DC, MD, PA, VA, WV until 8 PM EDT. pic.twitter.com/4DVZZbWenR
