stefanofiorentino/iStock(WASHINGTON) — A dangerous flash flood emergency hit Washington D.C. during the Monday morning commute.
With up to three inches of heavy rain falling in the region, the National Weather Service said the area was already seeing significant flash flooding.
“Travel will be EXTRAORDINARILY dangerous,” the National Weather Service warned on Twitter. “Stay out of low areas, if in a low area that may flood, seek higher ground. Stay off the roads if at all possible. This is not the ‘usual’ flooding.”
@capitalweather Four Mile Run is officially raging #Alexandria pic.twitter.com/LoODsaaCQD
— A & V Massaro (@MassaroXV) July 8, 2019
Water Rescue – Tuckerman Lane near Post Oak Drive, Potomac, Road CLOSED, several people removed from vehicles pic.twitter.com/dlKVBM6to8
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) July 8, 2019
Just peering off the terrace of my ark … er ART Transit bus. pic.twitter.com/OaK59huBP2
— Lauren Boyer (@laurenboyer) July 8, 2019
A school bus full of children drives through a flooded Glen Rd. in Montgomery County, MD. @mcpnews @mcfrsPIO pic.twitter.com/bUpdUIWKdI
— Sam Sweeney (@SweeneyABC) July 8, 2019
If you are in this FLASH FLOOD EMERGENCY area, travel will be EXTRAORDINARILY dangerous, including washouts, #flooding over roads. Stay out of low areas, if in a low area that may flood, seek higher ground. Stay off the roads if at all possible. This is not the "usual" flooding. pic.twitter.com/RwvkQDdfUl
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) July 8, 2019
The downpour even appears to have affected the White House basement.
The weather has halted Amtrak trains traveling south of D.C.
The flooding comes as a new storm system develops in the Rockies, which will move east Monday.
The biggest threat with these storms Monday will be damaging winds, large hail and an isolated tornado.
On Tuesday, severe storms will move into the western Great Lakes and Upper Midwest, where damaging winds, hail and an isolated tornado are all possible.
Severe storms will move into the Midwest and the central Great Lakes on Wednesday, including major cities like Chicago and St. Louis. The major threats with these storms will be damaging winds and large hail, but an isolated tornado cannot be ruled out.
Copyright © 2019, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.