(Updated 4:45 p.m.) The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for Alexandria and the surrounding area. The warning comes after a Flash Flood Watch was put in effect until 11 p.m.
Two-to-four inches of rainfall an hour is expected, according to NWS.
A Severe Thunderstorm Warning was also issued earlier in the day, although there was little to no rainfall in Alexandria. It remains in effect until 4:15 p.m.
According to NWS:
Numerous showers and thunderstorms are expected this afternoon and evening. Average rainfall amounts are expected to be between one half to one inch. However, thunderstorms will be capable of producing very heavy rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, causing localized amounts of 2 to 4 inches.
While storms are possible any time this afternoon through this evening, the most widespread thunderstorm activity is most likely to be late this afternoon through early this evening.
Heavy rainfall amounts in a short period of time may result in rapid rises on streams and creeks as well as the potential for flash flooding in urban areas.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Washington DC, Silver Spring MD, Bethesda MD until 4:15 PM EDT. This storm will contain wind gusts to 70 MPH! pic.twitter.com/omQlhRw9s2
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 27, 2021
330p: Intense line of storms moving inside Beltway from northwest, currently stretched from Olney to Oakton… strong winds, downpours plus lightning. Update: https://t.co/3oyL97rJNw pic.twitter.com/mUBOTNDhgt
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) August 27, 2021