(Updated at 2:30 p.m.) Arlington County firefighters conducted water rescues in the Pentagon City area this afternoon amid torrential downpours.
Initial reports suggest that three cars were stuck in high water along S. Joyce Street between Army Navy Drive and Columbia Pike, and that multiple people — including an elderly person with disabilities — were stranded, either in their vehicles or on the concrete median.
Another report suggested that the water was so high that at least one of the vehicles was floating. On traffic cameras, water could be seen streaming down from the I-395 overpass above.
A large contingent of fire department resources, including boats, responded to the scene. As of 2 p.m., ACFD said it was clearing the scene after everyone was rescued and no one needed to go to the hospital.
Much of Arlington, including Pentagon City, is under a Flash Flood Warning due to slow-moving, heavy downpours. The flooded portion of S. Joyce Street remains closed.
Crews are on the scene of a Water Rescue Incident in the area of S. Joyce St and Army Navy Dr. Currently several vehicles are stranded in high water, crews are utilizing rescue boats to make access to those trapped in the vehicles. Avoid the area and expect delays. pic.twitter.com/A6PlIbQCep
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) July 7, 2023
FINAL: All FD Units are in the process of clearing the scene, no patients were transported to the hospital as a result of the incident. Expect delays in the area to continue.
— Arlington Fire & EMS (@ArlingtonVaFD) July 7, 2023
NEW: S. Joyce under I-395 in Arlington right now. @ArlingtonVaFD water rescue assignment coming. Waiting for small boat to get 1 person out of a car. Arlington #traffic camera via @SafetyVid.@ARLnowDOTcom @WTOPtraffic @dougkammerer @capitalweather @StormHour #weather #traffic pic.twitter.com/G4iAsB5Esw
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) July 7, 2023
UPDATE: @ArlingtonVaFD made quick work of getting last person from a flooded car on S. Joyce under I-395. Looks like a construction crew helped. Possibly from @ArlingtonNatl expansion??? @ARLnowDOTcom @capitalweather @dougkammerer @StormHour #weather #traffic #safety #vatraffic pic.twitter.com/ZuJCbV1xOB
— Dave Statter (@STATter911) July 7, 2023
LOCATION: S Joyce St. / SB I-395
INCIDENT: Flooding
IMPACT: The entrance to SB I-395 from S Joyce St. is closed due to flooding. Seek alternate routes. pic.twitter.com/1bEt7qJF6s— Arlington Alert (@ArlingtonAlert) July 7, 2023