WASHINGTON — Several flash flood warnings were issued Tuesday as the region saw heavy rain in the morning and into the afternoon, with 9 inches recorded before 9 a.m. in St. Mary's County. Flash flood warnings were in effect for D.C., Montgomery County and Prince George's County through the afternoon.
Authorities reminded drivers across the region to never drive through flooded streets. Just six inches of water can cause loss of control in most passenger cars.
In Maryland, Montgomery County authorities reported 12 to 18 inches of standing water on the Colesville ramp at the Outer Loop at Colesville Road. Portions of Sligo Creek Parkway were closed due to high water and Carroll Avenue near Flower Avenue was blocked due to downed trees and wires.
Leonardtown declared a 7-day State of Emergency due to flooding that caused significant road closures in St. Mary's County.
High water in Charles County stranded at least three people Tuesday morning, prompting multiple water rescues. Firefighters were able to rescue all those trapped in their cars, including a man who was pinned between his car and a tree.
In St. Mary's County, high water, flooding and downed trees shut down multiple roads including:
- Mechanicsville Road between Yowaiski Mill Road and Harrow Hills Court
- Budds Creek Road between Mechanicsville Road and Chaptico Hill Lane
- New Market Turner Road between Trent Hall Road and Parlett Morgan Road
- Piney Point Road between Andover Estates Road and Denton Road
- Point Lookout Road near Flat Iron Road and between Maypole Road and Newtowne Neck Road
- Yowaiski Mill Road near Bosse Drive (no access to Country Lakes)
- Medleys Neck Road between Hunters Hill Lane and Hermitage Road
- Queen Tree Road between Oakville Road and Plowdens Way
- Willows Road between Bradley Boulevard and Greentree Drive
- New Market Turner Road between Rustin Family Lane and Delbrooke Road (police believe this closure could last days)
In Laurel, Maryland, Riverfront Park was closed due to high water.
WUSA9's Laura Geller reported drivers were turned around at Slingo Creek Parkway and Piney Branch in Montgomery County because of high water.
Additional flash flood warnings were in effect in Anne Arundel, Calvert and Charles Counties in Maryland.
WUSA9's Delia Goncalves reported that police blocked off King Street at the Waterfront in Old Town Alexandria due to high water.
Across the region, emergency responders encourage everyone to stay off the road.