The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch and coastal flood warning for the Washington region as powerful thunderstorms are expected to hit the area Saturday afternoon and evening.
The weather service’s forecast says the storms could produce damaging winds with gusts of up to 40 mph. Showers and thunderstorms are expected through the evening.
The tornado watch is in effect through 9 p.m. Saturday.
The flood warning is in effect until 11 a.m. Sunday. Tides are expected to be two to three feet above normal, the warning says, which is likely to cause floods in low-lying coastal areas.
One such area, the city of Alexandria, is planning to distribute sandbags to residents and businesses. The city said in a weather alert that it would park a trailer loaded with sandbags between the 100 and the 300 blocks of King Street later Saturday afternoon. High tides in Alexandria are expected to occur at 7:45 p.m. Saturday and 8:05 a.m. Sunday.
