Heavy Overnight Rain Causes Flash Flooding, Closing Many Roadways

John Matthews
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON — (WMAL) A deluge dumped several inches of rain across much of the region early Monday morning, falling faster than storm drains could handle, and closing many roadways as flooding consumed many stretches of asphalt.

A flash flood warning is in effect for parts of the region, including Arlington and Fairfax Counties and the City of Alexandria. As of 4:40 am, more than three inches of rain had already fallen in those areas.

The same warning was extended to parts of the Maryland suburbs as well:

Flash Flood Warning including Washington DC, Silver Spring MD, Rockville MD until 10:30 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/yHgKekg2Xn

— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) April 16, 2018

The rain forced a closure of I-66:

TRAFFIC ALERT ⚠️: I-66 is closed in both directions between N. Scott Street and 110 for standing water. Traffic is being diverted W/B at Rosslyn/Key Bridge and E/B at Spout Run.

— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) April 16, 2018

And a stretch of I-395 was closed as well:

TRAFFIC ALERT ⚠️: I-395 at Edsall Road is closed due to standing water. Expect delays in the area.

— ArlingtonCountyPD (@ArlingtonVaPD) April 16, 2018

Expect standing water and flooding in areas where those conditions frequently occur, including Rock Creek Parkway and West Potomac Park. Stay turned to WMAL for the latest details on traffic.

Here is the latest Flash Flood Warning from the National Weather Service:

BULLETIN - EAS ACTIVATION REQUESTED
Flash Flood Warning
National Weather Service Baltimore MD/Washington DC
437 AM EDT MON APR 16 2018

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a

* Flash Flood Warning for...
  The northwestern District of Columbia...
  Eastern Montgomery County in central Maryland...

* Until 1030 AM EDT

* At 437 AM EDT, Doppler radar and automated rain gauges indicated
  heavy rain falling across the area. Up to two inches of rain have
  already fallen. Flash flooding is expected to begin shortly.

* Some locations that may experience flooding include...
  Arlington, Germantown, Rockville, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Olney,
  Langley Park, Beltsville, Damascus, Howard University, Gallaudet
  University, Fort Totten, Reagan National Airport, Aspen Hill,
  Potomac, North Bethesda, Montgomery Village, North Potomac,
  Fairland and White Oak.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood
deaths occur in vehicles.