Three-Vehicle Accident on Southbound I-395
Update at 1:15 p.m. — Another accident has occurred on the same stretch of highway. One minor injury has been reported.
As seems to happen quite often during heavy rains, an accident has occurred on southbound I-395 just past Washington Boulevard.
Three vehicles were involved in the accident. One vehicle ran into the guardrail on the right side of the roadway, while the other two smashed into the barrier on the left side, blocking the lefthand lane.
Currently, only two lanes are getting by the accident scene, producing a small backup.
This curvy stretch of I-395 is particularly accident-prone during rain. We’ve reported at least three accidents there this year, one of which was a roll-over accident.
Heavy Rain Prompts Flood Watch
A line of heavy rain showers is on its way out of moving through the area, leaving behind big puddles of water on local roads. Meanwhile, more rain from the remnants of Tropical Depression Lee is expected tonight.
The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch for the region earlier today.
… FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON…
THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR
* THE WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREAS… NORTH-CENTRAL AND LOWER SOUTHERN MARYLAND… AND NORTHERN AND CENTRAL VIRGINIA.
* THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
* GULF AND ATLANTIC MOISTURE ASSOCIATED WITH THE REMNANTS OF TROPICAL DEPRESSION LEE WILL CONTINUE TO INTERACT WITH A NEARLY STATIONARY BOUNDARY… PRODUCING WIDESPREAD RAIN ACROSS THE AREA. ADDITIONAL RAINFALL AMOUNTS THROUGH WEDNESDAY WILL AVERAGE 1 TO 2 INCHES… WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS OVER 3 INCHES POSSIBLE. HEAVY RAIN MAY CONTINUE WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND THURSDAY.
* VERY HEAVY RAIN MAY CAUSE RAPID RISES IN CREEKS AND STREAMS… AS WELL AS SIGNIFICANT PONDING IN URBAN AREAS. DO NOT DRIVE THROUGH ROADWAYS COVERED WITH WATER.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.
Flash Flood Watch Issued
A flash flood watch has been issued for Arlington and the rest of the D.C. region due to showers and thunderstorms expected to arrive in the area later today.
The National Weather Service says one to two inches of rainfall can be expected in a short period of time.
FROM NOON EDT TODAY THROUGH THIS EVENING
* SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS WILL DEVELOP TODAY… AND BE NUMEROUS TO WIDESPREAD THIS AFTERNOON INTO EARLY THIS EVENING. A FEW OF THESE THUNDERSTORMS WILL BE CAPABLE OF PRODUCING HEAVY RAINFALL. WIDESPREAD RAINFALL AMOUNTS OF ONE TO TWO INCHES CAN BE EXPECTED IN THE INTERSTATE 95 CORRIDOR THROUGH THIS EVENING. HOWEVER… A BAND OF HEAVIER RAINFALL… PRODUCING RAINFALL IN EXCESS OF TWO INCHES IN JUST A COUPLE OF HOURS… WILL BE POSSIBLE.
Morning Notes
That’s a Lot of Rain — WJLA meteorologist Ryan Miller crunched the numbers and determined that about 587 million gallons of rainwater fell on Arlington during yesterday’s storms. [ABC7]
Single-Person Households in Arlington — In Arlington, 41 percent of households are occupied by a single person. That figure, from 2010 Census data, compares to the national average of about 25 percent. [Sun Gazette]
Male Women’s Soccer Fans Interviewed in Clarendon — The lukewarm corpse of TBD.com sent its interns out to interview Women’s World Cup soccer fans at Clarendon’s RiRa Irish Pub. They determined that most of the fans were male, and that most of them choose their favorite player based on looks. [TBD]
Arlington Resident Sentenced for FTC Theft — Arlington resident Harold Hughes, 58, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for stealing more than $218,000 from the Federal Trade Commission. Hughes was also ordered to pay full restitution, after being convicted of selling laptops, TVs and DVD players purchased with federal funds. [Legal Times]
Flash Flood Watch Issued
You’ll probably want to pack an umbrella this morning.
Numerous downpour-producing storms are expected to hit the Washington area this afternoon and evening. Forecasters are warning that the storms could cause flash flooding.
…FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM NOON EDT TODAY
THROUGH LATE TONIGHT…* A WEAK COLD FRONT WILL DROP INTO A VERY MOIST AND HUMID AIRMASS
FRIDAY. NUMEROUS THUNDERSTORMS ARE EXPECTED TO DEVELOP BY MIDDAY
FRIDAY…AND CONTINUE INTO THE EVENING. RAINFALL RATES WITHIN
THESE THUNDERSTORMS MAY EXCEED 2 INCHES IN LESS THAN AN HOUR.
SEVERAL THUNDERSTORMS POTENTIALLY COULD TRACK ACROSS THE SAME
AREA…RESULTING IN FLASH FLOODING.PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD
TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION
SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.
Pack an Umbrella This Morning
A line of showers and thunderstorms will be rolling through the area within the hour.
The storms are not expected to be severe, but the rain could make driving treacherous. If you’re not already at work, be cautious and take your time on the road.
Flood Watch Takes Effect Tonight
A flood watch will take effect at 6:00 tonight as heavy rains move into our area from the southwest.
A steady, soaking, all-day rain and and gusty winds should make for an unpleasant Thursday. Officials are warning anyone who lives in low-lying or flood-prone areas to be “prepared to take action should flood develop.”
FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM EST THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING…
THE FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR
* PORTIONS OF NORTHERN AND EASTERN MARYLAND… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND NORTHERN VIRGINIA… EAST OF THE BLUE RIDGE.
* FROM 6 PM EST THIS EVENING THROUGH THURSDAY EVENING
* PERIODS OF MODERATE TO HEAVY RAIN WILL MOVE INTO THE REGION AHEAD OF A COLD FRONT THIS EVENING INTO THURSDAY. BY THE TIME THE FRONT CLEARS THE AREA THURSDAY NIGHT… UP TO 3 INCHES OF RAIN WILL BE POSSIBLE.
* THE FORECASTED RAINFALL AMOUNTS LIKELY WILL CAUSE FLOODING OF LOW LYING AREAS… AS WELL AS CAUSE SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS TO RISE OUT OF THEIR BANKS. THE RUNOFF WOULD THEN CREATE SIGNIFICANT RISES ON AREA RIVERS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FLOOD WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR FLOODING BASED ON CURRENT FORECASTS.
YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE ALERT FOR POSSIBLE FLOOD WARNINGS. THOSE LIVING IN AREAS PRONE TO FLOODING SHOULD BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLOODING DEVELOP.
Rain, Wind Causes Scattered Problems
Miserable weather led to scattered problems across Arlington last night.
Steady rains caused some localized flooding in parts of the county. Police reportedly had to block off 11th Street at North Kennebec Street last night due to water in the roadway. A big pool of standing water also caused a traffic hazard on the northbound lanes of Glebe Road, just before Wilson Boulevard.
Local streams filled with fast-moving water as a result of the rain. This video shows a normally-peaceful section of Four Mile Run that turned into a raging rapid near Shirlington.
Elsewhere in Arlington, gusty winds brought down trees and power lines.
A brief period of sleet, meanwhile, made its way through the area around midnight. There was no noticeable accumulation in Arlington.
Photos: The Calm Before the Wind Storm
We took a few photos around Arlington this afternoon, before the really strong winds started blowing. The contrast between the blue skies and the quick-moving rain storms that passed through the area was quite striking.
Traffic Grows Thick as Roads Get Slick
Highways leading out of the District of Columbia are thick with traffic as a steady rain starts to change over to a slippery mix of sleet and snow.
Southbound I-395 and westbound I-66 are both jammed.
Meanwhile, police and firefighters are on the scene of a two-vehicle collision on northbound I-395 just before Shirlington.
Update at 3:55 p.m. — Heavy congestion reported on Washington Boulevard from Clarendon to I-395.
Update at 4:15 p.m. — Firefighters are on the scene of a two-vehicle crash on Columbia Pike at South Frederick Street.
Update at 4:25 p.m. — Roads are quickly becoming snow-covered. Reports are coming in of cars becoming stuck on hills.
Update at 5:15 p.m. — We’re now providing snow and traffic updates on a new post.
Rainy Commute Through Arlington
Commuters have wet, leaf-slicked roads to deal with this morning, but largely the drive on the highways isn’t much worse than on any other given weekday.
Traffic on I-66 is moving smoothly. I-395 is backed up, per usual, and is moving slowly approaching the 14th Street Bridge.
The biggest cause for concern this morning appears to be Route 27 near the Pentagon, which has slowed to a crawl heading northbound (on the western side of the Pentagon).
Power Outage Update
So far, so good, at least for Arlington. There are no reports of significant damage or widespread power outages in the county as a result of this morning’s nasty weather.
As of 7:20 a.m., Dominion is reporting 115 customers without power in Arlington.
Compare that to the nearly 10,000 Dominion customers without power in Fairfax County.
Update at 9:00 a.m. — There are now a mere 8 power outages in Arlington County.
Weather Alerts Issued
This morning’s heavy rain and high winds have prompted the National Weather Service to issue a number of alerts and advisories for Arlington and the surrounding area:
Tornado Watch:
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 762 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM EST THIS MORNING FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS
ABERDEEN… ALEXANDRIA… ANNAPOLIS… ARLINGTON… BALTIMORE… BEL AIR… BERRYVILLE… CHANTILLY… CHARLES TOWNN… CHESAPEAKE BEACH… COLUMBIA… CULPEPER… EDGEWOOD… FAIRFAX… FALLS CHURCH… FALLSTON… FREDERICK… FRONT ROYAL… GAITHERSBURG… HAGERSTOWN… HAVRE DE GRACE… JOPPATOWNE… LAUREL… LEESBURG… LURAY… MADISON… MANASSAS… MANASSAS PARK… MARTINSBURG… MCLEAN… RESTON… ST MARYS… STANARDSVILLE… STERLING… TOWSON… WALDORF… WARRENTON… WASHINGTON… WASHINGTON… WESTMINSTER… WINCHESTER… WINCHESTER AND WOODBRIDGE.
Wind Advisory:
… WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM EST THIS MORNING…
A WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 11 AM EST THIS MORNING.
* TIMING… GUSTS WILL CONTINUE THROUGH MID MORNING. GUSTS WILL SUBSIDE BEFORE NOON.
* WINDS… SOUTHEASTERLY WIND GUSTS OF 45-50 MPH.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A WIND ADVISORY MEANS THAT WIND GUSTS IN EXCESS OF 45 MPH ARE EXPECTED. WINDS THIS STRONG CAN MAKE DRIVING DIFFICULT… ESPECIALLY FOR HIGH PROFILE VEHICLES. USE EXTRA CAUTION.
Special Weather Statement:
… HEAVY RAIN TO AFFECT THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA… ARLINGTON… MONTGOMERY… PRINCE GEORGES… CALVERT… STAFFORD… LOUDOUN… PRINCE WILLIAM/MANASSAS/MANASSAS PARK… CHARLES AND FAIRFAX COUNTIES…
AN AREA OF RAIN WITH EMBEDDED VERY HEAVY DOWNPOURS WILL MOVE OVER THE WASHINGTON METROPOLITAN AREA DURING THE MORNING COMMUTE. RAINFALL RATES OF UP TO 1 INCH PER HOUR WILL SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE VISIBILITY AND WILL CAUSE PONDING OF WATER ON ROADWAYS AND OTHER LOW LYING AREAS. MOTORISTS ARE URGED TO USE CAUTION.
Flash Flood Watch:
… FLASH FLOOD WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON…
THE FLASH FLOOD WATCH CONTINUES FOR
* PORTIONS OF MARYLAND… THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND VIRGINIA.
* UNTIL 1 PM EST THIS AFTERNOON
* A COLD FRONT WILL MOVE THROUGH THE MID-ATLANTIC REGION THIS MORNING. RAIN AMOUNTS OF ONE TO TWO INCHES ARE EXPECTED. THIS AMOUNT OF RAIN MAY CAUSE SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS TO RISE OUT OF THEIR BANKS.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.
Flash Flood Watch Issued for Arlington
Heavy rain is expected tomorrow night, and already the National Weather Service is warning of possible flooding.
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A FLASH FLOOD WATCH FOR THE WASHINGTON AND BALTIMORE METROPOLITAN AREAS FROM LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON
A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL SLOWLY APPROACH THE AREA TUESDAY NIGHT BEFORE PASSING THROUGH EARLY WEDNESDAY MORNING. RAIN IS EXPECTED TO OVERSPREAD THE AREA BY TUESDAY EVENING…BUT THE HEAVIEST RAINFALL IS EXPECTED LATE TUESDAY NIGHT THROUGH WEDNESDAY MORNING. RAINFALL AMOUNTS AROUND ONE TO TWO INCHES ARE EXPECTED WITH ISOLATED AMOUNTS UP TO 3 INCHES POSSIBLE IN HEAVIER BANDS OF RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS. HEAVY AMOUNTS OF RAINFALL MAY CAUSE SMALL STREAMS AND CREEKS TO RISE OUT OF THEIR BANKS.
A FLASH FLOOD WATCH MEANS THAT CONDITIONS MAY DEVELOP THAT LEAD TO FLASH FLOODING. FLASH FLOODING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. YOU SHOULD MONITOR LATER FORECASTS AND BE PREPARED TO TAKE ACTION SHOULD FLASH FLOOD WARNINGS BE ISSUED.
Rain Brings More Accidents on Arlington Roads
This crash near Pentagon City mall, at the intersection of Hayes and 15th Streets, is just one of numerous accidents around Arlington County today.
While most of the accidents were minor, they serve as a reminder of how much more careful drivers should be on rainy days, especially when you add fallen leaves into the equation.
At least two people from this accident were taken to the hospital with injuries.
