Much of the Interstate 95 corridor, including D.C. and Baltimore, is under a tropical storm warning as forecasters eye heavy downpours and powerful winds from Isaias early Tuesday.
The National Hurricane Center’s latest forecast has Tropical Storm Isaias — pronounced ees-ah-EE-ahs — cutting north across the Chesapeake after landfall in the Carolinas, with the D.C. metro area eyeing up to 6 inches of rain from around 11 p.m. Monday until Tuesday afternoon — with a risk for flash flooding and power outages.
Here’s what you need to know:
- A tropical storm warning has been posted for Virginia, Maryland and D.C. east of I-95, with winds between 35 and 45 mph expected to befall the area starting Monday night. Coastal regions are likely to see the strongest winds of up to 65 mph.
- Expect a deluge: The biggest threat from Isaias for those who don’t live on the shore will be torrential rain and flash flooding, with 3 to 6 inches expected to arrive around midnight. If you can, stay off the roads on Tuesday.
- Storm surge: Roads and low-lying areas along the shore should prepare for storm surge flooding of over a foot, especially around high tide.
The number one impact from Isaias, like so many tropical systems that have impacted the D.C. region before it, will be a substantial flood risk.
“It’ll rain as hard as it can,” Storm Team4 meteorologist Chuck Bell said. “Delay or cancel any Tuesday travel plans now.”
Monday evening commute should be spared the worst since Isaias’ heaviest rainfall won’t overspread the area in earnest until around midnight. After that, highways, parking lots and other flood-prone areas are likely to get swamped rather quickly.
“Rivers and tributaries may rapidly overflow their banks in multiple places; small streams, creeks, canals, arroyos, and ditches may become dangerous rivers,” the National Weather Service’s D.C. regional office said, issuing a Flash Flood Watch until Tuesday evening.
“In mountain areas, destructive runoff may run quickly down valleys while increasing susceptibility to rockslides and mudslides. Flood control systems and barriers may become stressed.”
By dawn Tuesday, confidence is increasing that Virginia, Maryland and D.C. from the Blue Ridge eastward will be under the brunt of a large but fast-moving tropical storm.
Strong winds will be of greatest concern for coastal Southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, where forecasters said gusts could be strong enough to damage porches, awnings, carports and sheds. Trees could be uprooted throughout the region, leading to blocked roadways and scattered outages.
“Please don’t let your guard down just because Isaias is no longer a hurricane,” said Russ Strickland, executive director for the Maryland Emergency Management Agency, noting that even a slight westward shift in Isaias’ track could bring the deluge into Western Maryland.
“Be prepared for potential power outages, flash floods and tidal flooding. This is still a dangerous system.”
In addition to a standard emergency kit with essential medicines, fresh water, batteries, and flashlights, officials remind those in the region to add spare face masks, sanitizing wipes and other cleaning supplies to their storm checklist due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In Washington, emergency managers are coordinating with utility companies to minimize service disruptions. Works crews spent the weekend clearing storm drains in advance of Isaias, but officials are still advising residents to stay clear of the roads in anticipation of high water.
“Only a foot or two of water can lift a vehicle, and you can be knocked down by only 6 inches,” said Christopher Rodriguez, director D.C.’s homeland security agency, advising District residents to sign up for real-time updates from AlertDC.
Read more: What should be in your emergency kit
Isaias is just the latest in a marathon of early season storms. The average Atlantic hurricane season sees about 12 named systems and six hurricanes, mainly from June to November — but 2020 is trending hyperactive.
“This is the ninth named storm of season, usually we don’t hit number nine until we get deep into September,” NHC spokesman Dennis Feltgen told WTOP. “This is already the second hurricane of the season. It was supposed to be active, and it’s certainly coming out that way.”
Before the season started, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Maryland-based Climate Prediction Center forecast between 13 and 19 named storms this year, with between six and 10 becoming hurricanes and three to six going on to reach Category 3 intensity.
NOAA is set to issue a revised forecast this Thursday — and Feltgen said it’ll likely reflect the early season burst of activity.
Isaias already has caused destruction in the Caribbean: On Thursday, before it became a hurricane, it uprooted trees, destroyed crops and homes and caused widespread flooding and small landslides in the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico.
One man died in the Dominican Republic. In Puerto Rico, the National Guard rescued at least 35 people from floods that swept away one woman, whose body was recovered Saturday.
WTOP’s Dan Friedell and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Forecast:
Monday: Spotty morning showers, clearing around noon. Scattered afternoon thunderstorms possible ahead of Isaias. Highs in the mid to upper 80s, with heat indexes in the mid 90s.
Monday night: Rain, heavy at times. Lows in the mid 70s.
Tuesday: Tropical storm conditions with steady rain and strong wind gusts, especially in coastal areas. Highs in the upper 70s.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny and less humid as Isaias moves north. Highs in the mid 80s.
Thursday: Sunny, with a chance of showers and thunderstorms. Highs in the mid 80s.
Friday: Partly cloudy, with showers and thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Highs in the mid to upper 80s.
Current conditions:
Power outages:
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August 03, 2020 at 10:28PM
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Tropical storm warning issued for DC metro region as Isaias draws near - WTOP
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