Update at 1:55 p.m. — The Fairfax County Police Department says that Lawyers Road is now closed due to flooding at Hunter Mill Road. Old Courthouse Road remains shut down.
Update at 12:30 p.m. — The National Weather Service has now upgraded central Fairfax County and the City of Fairfax from a flood watch to a flood warning, which will remain in effect until 4 p.m.
Old Courthouse Road closed at the Besley Road intersection in Wolf Trap at 10:45 a.m. due to ongoing flooding from Wolftrap Creek, and a NWS map shows that Rocky Run near Tysons also has a a 90% or higher chance of flash flooding.
As of 12:03 p.m., between one and two inches of rain have fallen in the county, and an additional one to two inches of rain could potentially fall in the area covered by the flood warning. Locations in the Tysons area that may be at risk of flooding include Tysons, Vienna, Wolf Trap, Great Falls, Merrifield, and Dunn Loring.
Earlier — A Flood Watch is in effect for most of the region until 10 p.m. today, according to the National Weather Service.
Remnants of Hurricane Zeta are expected to dump two to three inches of rain on the area.
NWS warns that heavy rain could lead to flooding of small streams, creeks, and urban areas. Clogged drains due to leaf buildup might also cause flooding issues.
Here’s more from the alert:
Do not enter or cross flowing water or water of unknown depth. Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can becom unstable and unsafe.
A Flood Watch means there is a potential for flooding based on current forecasts. You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible flood warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department is advising drivers to plan alternate routes so they can avoid roads that tend to flood, noting that cars trapped on flooded roadways creates “needless danger” for drivers, passengers, and emergency responders.
“Our firefighters and paramedics do not want to meet you by (a preventable) ‘accident’!” FCFRD said.
In addition, the Fairfax County Park Authority is asking community members to call before visiting any golf courses, since some venues may be closed if there is indeed heavy rain.
Grab your umbrella ☔️ Rain 🌧️ from #Zeta is going to cause a wet commute for drivers today.
When driving in the rain remember
💡 headlights & wipers on
🚘 increase following distance
🐢 slow down
💧 #TurnAroundDontDrown
👁️ be alert for pedestrians & other road users pic.twitter.com/krPQMJhevB— VDOT (@VaDOT) October 29, 2020