UPDATED: Severe Storm Rips Through Arlington
Update at 8:45 p.m. — The number of Dominion customers without power in Arlington is currently listed as 5,762.
Update at 4:55 p.m. — Dominion is now reporting 9,262 customers without power in Arlington, mostly in South Arlington.
Update at 4:50 p.m. – The Arlington 9-11 Memorial 5K race is still on, but may follow an alternate route due to flooding on Long Bridge Drive. The race start time may also be slightly delayed, organizers say.
Update at 4:35 p.m. — Traffic on southbound I-395 is backed up from the downed tree near King Street to the area of the Pentagon. Most of the potential for severe weather in the area has now passed, according to forecasters.
Update at 4:25 p.m. – Numerous trees and power lines are reported down in parts of south and north Arlington. A tree is currently blocking the southbound lanes of S. Eads Street in the area of 12th Street, in Pentagon City.
Update at 4:15 p.m. — At least 1,000 Dominion customers in Arlington are currently without power, mostly in South Arlington along S. Glebe Road and S. Walter Reed Drive.
Update at 4:10 p.m. — A tree is down across all but one lane of southbound I-395 near King Street.
Update at 4:00 p.m. — Arlington County is dispatching a technical rescue for a report of a person trapped under a stage at the Rosslyn Jazz Festival. Update: The individual is no longer trapped and being evaluated by medics.
Arlington County is under a Tornado Warning through 4:15 p.m.
From the National Weather Service:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A
* TORNADO WARNING FOR… CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… SOUTHERN ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… CITY OF ALEXANDRIA IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA… EASTERN FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA…
* UNTIL 415 PM EDT
* AT 343 PM EDT… A CONFIRMED TORNADO WAS REPORTED NEAR FAIRFAX… AND WAS MOVING EAST AT 50 MPH. THIS TORNADO HAS BEEN CONFIRMED BY COUNTY OFFICIALS.
* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE… ALEXANDRIA… HUNTINGTON… CRYSTAL CITY… BALLSTON… THE WOODROW WILSON BRIDGE… REAGAN NATIONAL AIRPORT…
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
TAKE COVER NOW. MOVE TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST FLOOR OF A STURDY BUILDING AND AVOID WINDOWS. IF OUTDOORS OR IN A MOBILE HOME OR VEHICLE… MOVE TO THE CLOSEST SUBSTANTIAL SHELTER AND PROTECT YOURSELF FROM FLYING DEBRIS.
MOTORISTS SHOULD NOT TAKE SHELTER UNDER HIGHWAY OVERPASSES. AS A LAST RESORT… EITHER PARK AND STAY IN YOUR VEHICLE… OR ABANDON YOUR VEHICLE AND LAY FLAT IN A LOW SPOT.
THIS TORNADO MAY BE WRAPPED IN RAIN AND HARD TO SEE. TAKE COVER NOW.
Organizers: 9-11 Memorial 5K Will Go On Rain or Shine
Despite the threat of storms, organizers of the 9-11 Memorial 5K say the race will go on.
The race is scheduled to start at 6:00 p.m. tonight (Saturday) outside the Doubletree Hotel (300 Army Navy Drive). The course goes through parts of Pentagon City, Crystal City and the Pentagon reservation.
As of last night, some 600 entries were still available, at a cost of $35 each, and 4,400 were already sold. The price of registration includes a t-shirt, a finisher’s medal, and free food and beer after the race.
The race, now in its 11th year, is organized by volunteers from Arlington’s police department, fire department, sheriff’s office and the military. It benefits a number of charities, including the Wounded Warrior Project and Segs 4 Vets.
Race organizer Sgt. Sean Bryson said the race will go on rain or shine. In the event of lightning or dangerous weather, however, it will be postponed.
Severe Thunderstorm Warning Issued
Update at 3:35 p.m. — Arlington is now under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning through 4:30 p.m.
A Severe Thunderstorm Watch has been issued for the region through 10:00 p.m.
The National Weather Services says an approaching line of storms could bring heavy rain and damaging winds.
A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH HAS BEEN ISSUED UNTIL 10PM EDT. THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON INTO THE EVENING IN ADVANCE OF A COLD FRONT APPROACHING FROM THE WEST. SOME STORMS WILL PRODUCE DAMAGING WIND GUSTS OF UP TO 70 MPH. ISOLATED TORNADOES ARE ALSO POSSIBLE.
