The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for the Washington Metropolitan area through 10 p.m. Sunday.
“Numerous showers and thunderstorms with heavy rain will continue to develop and move across [areas] that have received at least a couple of inches of rain…with an additional 1 to 2 inches possible through late tonight,” the weather service warning says. It adds that some local areas will get 2 to 3 inches in a short amount of time, making them subject to flash floods.
Flooding can occur when creeks and streams rise quickly and water flows into nearby low-lying and urban areas, particularly those that are saturated after receiving recent significant rainfall.
The flood warning comes as Tropical Storm Isaac moves toward the Florida Keys. The storm is currently centered just east-southeast of Key West and moving toward the west-northwest at about 18 mph with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph.
The weather service is forecasting some strengthening during the next 48 hours, however the likelihood of Isaac becoming a hurricane before it reaches the Florida Keys is decreasing.
