Alexandria and the rest of the D.C. region braced for severe thunderstorms today (Monday), but the tornado threat has declined. The National Weather Service has canceled the tornado watch for Alexandria as of 3:29 p.m. Monday.
The National Weather Service’s Storm Prediction Center now expects a slight to enhanced risk level from storms in the region. That’s down from the moderate risk level predicted earlier.
Despite the diminished tornado risk, the National Weather Service said a new round of thunderstorms and gusty rain are on the way to the region in the late afternoon and evening.
In a video update to constituents Monday morning, Mayor Alyia Gaskins said city officials were monitoring the potential for damaging winds, possible tornadoes and minor tidal flooding in Alexandria.
The severe storm threat should dissipate after 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. as it advances east, according to the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang. However, rain will continue, possibly mixed with sleet and wet snow north and west of the Beltway, until midnight. Daytime temperatures in the 60s and 70s will plummet to the high 20s and low 30s overnight.
Gaskins said the city’s Office of Emergency Management was preparing for the storms through briefings with the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and National Weather Service, as well as mobilizing crews and emergency communications. The mayor encourages residents to follow the city’s social media pages or eNews alerts to find updates during the storm.
Dominion Energy mobilized crews to respond to outages. If power outages occur, crews will first prioritize restorations at hospitals, water treatment facilities, other urgent community services and areas with the most outages.
Outages can be reported to Dominion Energy online, by calling 1-866-366-4357 or using the Dominion Energy app.
To report debris, fallen traffic signals, flooding and other non-emergencies, residents can use the Alex 311 portal or call 703-746-4311. After 7 p.m., reports may be directed to 703-746-4444. Emergencies should be reported to 911.
Numerous city services announced early closings. Alexandria City Public Schools released students two hours early in preparation for the severe weather. The Alexandria Health Department is closed, and Alexandria courts closed at 1 p.m. Programs and rentals from 2 p.m. to closing at recreation centers aree cancelled.
City Council’s “Livable, Green, & Prospering” budget work session has been rescheduled to Wednesday (March 18). Other canceled meetings include the Transportation & Environmental Services Environmental Policy Commission meeting, Commission on Aging Housing Committee meeting, Board of Zoning Appeals public hearing and Social Services Advisory Board meeting.
Metro said it will hold trains at stations until conditions improve if sustained winds reach 65 mph. Metrobus service may also be suspended in areas with an active tornado warning.
DASH Bus expects minimal disruptions to service but says it will temporary suspend service in the event of a tornado warning.
