A storm brought heavy rain and wind Sunday into early Monday in the D.C. area, causing power outages, downed trees and flooded roads.
A driver in Montgomery County, Maryland, was rescued from a tree early Monday after getting swept away in high water, and more than 5,500 power outages were reported, officials said.
The driver was on Brighton Dam Road in the Brookeville area about 4:30 a.m. when their car got caught in high water. The driver left the vehicle and was swept downstream, Montgomery County Fire and Rescue said.
That person was holding onto a tree when rescuers arrived shortly after. Boats were sent to help, Montgomery County officials said. Two vehicles were seen in the water, officials said. No serious injuries were reported.
We're making it easier for you to find stories that matter with our new newsletter — The 4Front. Sign up here and get news that is important for you to your inbox.
Remember: If you see water on a road, turn around, don't drown.
Most of the D.C. area picked up 2 to 2.5 inches of rain, making this one of the biggest December rainfalls on record, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Chuck Bell said.
Dulles International Airport clocked 2.27 inches of rain, its third-greatest rainfall total for a 24-hour period in December. Washington Reagan National Airport recorded 2.41 inches, and BWI-Marshall got 2.69 inches.
In Maryland, flooding closed lanes on Route 28 near Avery Road in Rockville and on River Road in Bethesda.
In the District, a huge tree was uprooted by strong winds overnight at Massachusetts Avenue and Upton Road NW. Crews were working to clear the tree from the roadway about 5:30 a.m. Another downed tree and wires also blocked lanes along outbound Canal Road NW. Rock Creek Parkway, Virginia Avenue NW and parts of Beach Drive were closed Monday morning because of flooding.
Storm Team4 declared Weather Alerts for Sunday and Monday. A flood watch was in effect Sunday evening for parts of D.C, Maryland and Virginia, and a flood warning continued through 7 a.m. Monday. A wind advisory is in effect Monday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in parts of D.C, Maryland and Virginia. Go here for all weather alerts.
Expect flooding, high winds Monday
Strong winds will be the biggest weather worry Monday as temperatures slowly drop. The heavy rain has come to an end, but the wind will turn to the northwest and continue gusting to near 40 mph all afternoon.
The weather alert continues Monday due to the high winds. Here's the Storm Team4 forecast.
"If you are going to bring your umbrella, just know, make sure that it is reinforced, because the wind is really going to be quite an issue," Bell said.
Bell told drivers to take extra time during their morning commutes due to high or standing water in flood-prone areas. Flood waters were expected to recede in the afternoon.
Power outages
About 2,200 Pepco customers in Chillum, Maryland, and 3,000 Dominion Energy customers in Fairfax, Virginia, were without power as of 5 a.m. You can check Pepco and Dominion Energy power outages online. BGE has not reported outages in the D.C. area.
Sunday storm and rainfall
Sunday began with a special weather statement, warning drivers to be careful on the road for dense fog that lasted into the late morning. Storm Team4 Meteorologist Clay Anderson said it was like pea soup.
Rain began after the fog cleared and gradually increased over the day. It picked up after sunset, and the flood watch went into effect at 6 p.m., Anderson said. Prime time for the heaviest rain and strong winds began Sunday at 4 p.m. and continued overnight before ending early Monday.
Despite it being mid-December, temperatures were on the warm side at about 50° overnight.
Most of the area picked up 2 to 2.5 inches of rain from the storm, Bell said. Some models hinted rainfall could total 3 inches – but that would have been highly unusual for December, Bell said.
Washington’s all-time record for daily rainfall in December is 3.1 inches.
10-day forecast and Christmas travel outlook
Cold, dry weather will follow the storm and last through most of next week.
The early outlook for Christmas travel is good, with dry weather in the days leading up to the holiday. Christmas Eve is expected to have some sunshine and temps between 34 and 50 degrees.
