Flash Flood Watch

Updated Monday, June 10 at 9:30 a.m.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Watch for Montgomery County through 5 p.m. According to the national Weather service, additional showers and thunderstorms this afternoon and evening will produce 1 to 3 more inches of rainfall. With the ground already saturated from previous rainfall, it will not take much rain to cause flash flooding of streams and low lying areas.

The National Weather Service Flood Warning for Seneca Creek at Dawsonville remains in effect. While minor flooding is occurring, the river is expected to fall below flood stage by late this morning.

2:59 a.m. EDT
The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Montgomery County. Doppler radar indicated a line of storms approaching the county that will be capable of producing flooding rains.

Roads in Montgomery County Subject to Periodic Flooding:
Down County Areas:
MD 29 (Columbia Pike) at Paint Branch – N. of White Oak
MD 185 (Conn. Ave) at Rock Creek – S. of Kensington
MD 190 (River Road) at Cabin John Creek – Potomac
MD 193 (Univ. Blvd) at Sligo Creek – Wheaton
MD 586 (Viers Mill Rd) at Rock Creek – S. of Twinbrook Pkwy.
Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park – Kensington-Chevy Chase
Sligo Creek Pkwy – Silver Spring-Takoma Park

Up-County Areas:
MD 97 (Georgia Ave) at Reddy Branch – N. of Brookeville
MD 124 (Woodfield Rd) at Goshen Branch and at Gr. Seneca Creek – N. of Brink Rd.
MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Gr. Seneca Creek – W. of Gaithersburg
MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Little Seneca Creek – E. of Boyds
MD 355 (Frederick Rd) at Little Seneca Creek – W. of Brink
MD 121 (Clarksburg Rd) near Little Seneca Lake – N. of Boyds
MD 118 (Germantown Rd) at Great Seneca Creek – S. of Germantown
River Rd and Berryville Rd at Seneca Creek – Seneca
Blunt Road at Great Seneca Creek – S. of Brink Rd.
Davis Mill Rd at Great Seneca Creek – N. of Gaithersburg
Brighton Dam Rd at Hawlings River – NE of Brookeville
Goldmine Rd at Hawlings River – E of Olney
Zion Rd at Hawlings River – E. of Laytonsville
Hoyles Mill Rd at ford of Little Seneca Creek – Germantown, west of soccer complex
Loghouse Rd at Magruder Branch – S. of Damascus
Elton Farm Rd at Haights Branch – N. of Sunshine
Howard Chapel Rd at Haights Branch – N. of Sunshine
White’s Ferry Road and River Road – White’s Ferry

Safety Tips:
Here are some safety tips provided by Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service for motorists who may be driving in heavy rains:

-Know your location when you are driving. If you needed rescue, would you be able to direct emergency crews to your location? Distracted driving can lead to a situation where you are stranded and unable to direct emergency crews to you. Be alert!

-Never drive through a flooded road or bridge. Turn Around – Don’t Drown and try an alternate route! In many cases, it takes far less than a foot of water to incapacitate a vehicle. It may stall, leaving you stranded, and depending on the level of water, you may not be able to open a vehicle door. Do not underestimate the power of moving water.

-Watch for flooding at bridges and dips in the road. Never drive where water is over bridges or roads. Turn around – Don’t Drown! The bridges or the road could suddenly be washed out. If you’re driving at night be especially careful. Often visibility is limited due to wind and rain.

-Often what you can’t see below the surface of the water is far more dangerous than the high levels of that water. Remember that rocks, tree limbs and other debris can be caught in moving water and can be dangerous if you are forced to walk, wade or swim through flood waters.

-If you have to walk or wade through flood water, use a stick to poke the ground in front of you with each step. It can help you determine water levels, the bottom surface and the safest possible way to get to higher ground.

-Six inches of water will reach the bottom of most passenger cars causing loss of control and possible stalling. A foot of water will float many vehicles. Two feet of rushing water can carry away most vehicles including sport utility vehicles (SUV’s) and pick-ups

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