Heavy storms to elevate flash flood risk in Ohio Valley, mid-Atlantic into early week

Showers and drenching thunderstorms will threaten to disrupt travel and outdoor plans and generate flash flooding across parts of the Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic into Monday.

The clash between cool air in the north, and warm humid air to the south, will set up some stormy weather from the Midwest to the mid-Atlantic coast.

Into Monday, areas that may be impacted by repeated downpours include Columbus, Ohio; Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Charleston, West Virginia; Baltimore; Washington, D.C.; Dover, Delaware; and Richmond, Virginia.

Over 4 inches of rain fell in just 4 hours near Mount Holly, New Jersey, on Sunday night. The downpours led to flooding on portions of Interstate 95 and the Ben Franklin Bridge near Philadelphia and caused flash flooding on Frankford Creek, which reached its second highest crest dating back to 1982.

Motorists traveling along stretches of interstates 65, 69, 70, 75, 79, 80, 81 and 95 should be ready to face times of slow travel and reduced visibility.

Some of the downpours will be slow-moving and capable of producing an inch or more of rain in an hour. Gusty winds will also be possible in the strongest storms.

“Some places from southern Pennsylvania to Maryland and northern Virginia received two to three times as much rainfall as they normally see in May,” said AccuWeather Meteorologist Brett Rathbun.

These areas, as well as places that see repeated downpours, will be most at risk for flooding problems, he added.

Remember never to drive through floodwaters, as the water may be deeper than it appears and the roadway underneath compromised. One foot of moving water can sweep your vehicle away.

The Washington, D.C., metro area experienced flooding earlier this week after the Potomac River reached its highest level in over 10 years and poured over its banks, according to WTOP. The river was swollen from above-normal rainfall during the second half of May.

Water levels on the Potomac have since fallen below flood stage.

While people may be altering outdoor plans across much of the mid-Atlantic region, it will be a different weather story farther north.

“Much of New York state and New England will have a dry weekend and start to the week,” Abrams said.

Sunshine and highs in the 60s and 70s Fahrenheit are likely to accompany the rain-free conditions through Monday, offering residents and vacationers a great opportunity to get outside.

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