Marylanders Urged to Stay Cautious and Prepared for Possible Flash Flooding

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Wes Moore is asking Marylanders to prepare for potential flash flooding, heavy rains, and damaging winds brought on by storm systems in the area today. The National Weather Service has issued a Flood Watch for much of the State. T??he risk is greatest for central Maryland with up to 3-inches of rainfall per hour possible in some regions. Urban, low-lying, and previously saturated areas are the most at risk. However, all of Maryland could see significant rainfall as well as high winds beginning this afternoon. Avoid travel, if possible, and make sure that your vehicle has an e???mergency kit if you must travel.

The storm system around Maryland will create several showers and thunderstorms across the state today. The storms will likely bring significant rainfall and isolated instances of damaging winds. In response, the Maryland Department of Emergency Management will be increasing the State Activation Level and staffing the Statewide Emergency Operations Center beginning at 2pm. 

Storms will form in western Maryland early this afternoon, and then spread southeastward later this afternoon into this evening. Storms may linger over the Eastern Shore into the overnight hours. Flash flooding, including possibly significant flooding, will be the primary threat with storms today. A Flash Flood Warning is issued when a flash flood is imminent or occurring. If you are in a flood prone area move immediately to high ground. 

If your area experiences flash flooding: 

• Find safe shelter right away.

• Do not walk, swim or drive through flood waters. Turn Around, Don’t Drown!

• Remember, just six inches of moving water can knock you down, and one foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

• Stay off bridges over fast-moving water.

• Depending on the type of flooding:

• Evacuate, if told to do so.

• Move to higher ground or a higher floor.

• Stay where you are (shelter in place).

Keep an eye on the forecast and any emergency alerts, particularly those calling for an evacuation or sheltering in place. Continue to watch your local weather stations, and visit mdready.maryland.gov for more information or to sign-up for free emergency text alerts.