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Wind Advisory in Effect Today for Fairfax County

A Wind Advisory is in effect through 2 p.m. today (Monday) for Fairfax County.

The National Weather Service cautions that winds with gusts of up to 50 mph are expected in most of the Washington, D.C., metropolitan region.

The NWS first issued a wind advisory last night that was expected to continue until noon today, but the agency announced at 6:16 a.m. today that the advisory’s hours have been extended until to 2 p.m.

Here’s more from the alert:

* IMPACTS…Gusty winds could blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Use extra caution when driving, especially if operating a high profile vehicle. Secure outdoor objects.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department warns that scattered power outages are possible as winds could cause power lines, tree limbs, and trees to fall. Fallen power lines pose a particular danger when the ground is saturated by water, as it is in Fairfax County after recent rainy days.

Downed power lines can energize the ground up to 35 feet away, or more if there is water, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation International, which advises anyone who sees a downed power line to call 911.

“It is especially important to understand that downed lines can energize other objects, including fences, cars/trucks, buildings, bushes and trees, and telephone/cable TV cables,” the FCFRD says. “Assume all downed power lines are live and dangerous!”

Photo via FCPD/Twitter

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Flood Watch in Effect Until 10 p.m. Tonight

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.

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JUST IN: Fairfax County Under Tornado Watch Tonight

Fairfax County is under a Tornado Watch until 10 p.m. today (Thursday).

The National Weather Service issued the alert shortly after 3:30 p.m.

Forecasters say that residents in the Tysons-area may see heavy thunderstorms this evening.

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JUST IN: Fairfax County Under Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Fairfax County is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Watch tonight.

The National Weather Service issued the watch shortly after 3:30 p.m. It will be in effect until 11 p.m.

Forecasters say that the D.C. area may see severe storms this evening.

Later this week, NWS says the D.C. region may see damaging wind gusts and severe thunderstorms on Saturday from Hurricane Laura.

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UPDATED: Flood Warning in Effect for Tysons Area

Updated 9:50 a.m. — Aas a Flood Warning is in effect for the area until 3:30 p.m. today. NWS said that Vienna, Falls Church, Tysons and Merrifield may experience flooding. 

Earlier: People can expect more thunderstorms and possibly heavy rain.

The National Weather Service issued a Flash Flood Watch for today (Thursday).

More from NWS:

Slow moving thunderstorms capable of producing heavy rainfall may develop today. Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms may lead to flash flooding.

Potential impacts include rapid rises of water, flooded roads and flooding of structures in low lying areas near streams. Landslides and washouts are also possible.

People are advised to not drive through water they don’t know the depth.

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Fairfax County Under Flash Flood Watch Wednesday

Get ready for another summer thunderstorm. A Flash Flood Watch will be in effect in Fairfax County this afternoon and evening.

The National Weather Service says that thunderstorms and showers could bring 1-2 inches of rain with some areas possibly getting up to 4 inches.

“A cold front will move into the area Wednesday and then stall out,” according to NWS. “Numerous slow-moving showers and thunderstorms will pose a risk of flash flooding.”

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Flash Flood Watch in Effect Today

Prepare for more rain today (Friday).

A Flash Flood Watch is in effect from noon today through late tonight, according to the National Weather Service.

Here’s more from the alert:

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED

 

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Poll: Are You Ready for Tropical Storm Isaias?

Ahead of Tropical Storm Isaias hitting the D.C. region, Fairfax County officials and forecasters are sharing resources and tips to help people prepare for the storm.

“Significant flash flooding of small streams and creeks is likely tonight into Tuesday evening as rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Isaias spreads northward,” according to Fairfax County. Forecasters predict that the storm will bring 3-6 inches of rain.

Currently, the Tysons area is under a Tropical Storm Warning, which means that tropical storm-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours,” according to National Weather Service.

The area will be under a Flash Flood Watch from 11 p.m. tonight to the same time Tuesday night and a Coastal Flood Watch will also be in effect from Tuesday morning to Wednesday.

Due to flooding risks, Fairfax County officials are reminding drivers to turn around if they see water and don’t know how deep it is. The county also tweeted out contact information for the appropriate people to call if someone spots a downed tree.

NWS wants people to protect property in flood-prone areas.

The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang tweeted that waves of heavy rain are expected to hit the D.C. region by Tuesday morning and that commuters should allow for extra time.

Image via NWS Baltimore-Washington/Twitter

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UPDATED: Fairfax County Under Tropical Storm Warning

Updated 11:55 a.m. — The National Weather Service placed Fairfax County under a Tropical Storm Warning shortly after 11 a.m. today. “A Tropical Storm Warning means tropical storm-force winds are expected somewhere within this area within the next 36 hours,” according to NWS.

Earlier: As Tropical Storm Isaias hits the East Coast, forecasters warn that the Tysons area could see flash flooding early this week.

The Tysons area will be under a Flash Flood Watch from 11 p.m. tonight to the same time Tuesday night. “Moderate coastal flooding is possible at times of high tide Tuesday as Tropical Storm Isaias makes its closest approach to the area,” the National Weather Service said.

NWS says that widespread rainfall between 3-6 inches is expected, with possibly more in certain areas.

A Coastal Flood Watch will also be in effect from Tuesday morning to Wednesday.

“Rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Isaias is expected to start spreading northward late Monday night and continue into Tuesday evening,” according to NWS.

Forecasters encourage people to protect flood-prone property as soon as possible and monitor the weather. People should not attempt to drive through water if they don’t know how deep it is.

 

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JUST IN: Flash Flood Watch Issued for Tysons Area

Portions of Northern Virginia including the Tysons area will be under a Flash Flood Watch starting Tuesday afternoon.

The National Weather Service said that the watch will be in effect from 3-11 p.m. Forecasters say that storms and gusty wind are expected today.

More from NWS:

A slow-moving cold front will intersect a hot and humid air mass resulting in scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms late this afternoon and evening. Multiple rounds of thunderstorms are possible, which could result in isolated rainfall amounts of 2 to 3 inches in a short amount of time. These rainfall amounts may result in rapid rises of water on small streams and creeks, as well as in urban and poor drainage areas.

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