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Not taking any chances, Georgetown waterfront raises floodgates

WASHINGTON — The endless rain brings the constant threat of flooding and this time, Georgetown isn’t waiting — the floodgates along the waterfront are already up as of Saturday morning.

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The National Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning for the District that is in effect until 6 p.m. Sunday.

While major flooding is not expected, the weather service said there could be minor flooding with the possibility of moderate flooding near high tide.

Georgetown isn’t taking any chances after similar events led to flooding in 2011.

On April 18, 2011, the weather service issued a similar coastal flooding warning, but the floodgates along the Washington Harbour at Georgetown didn’t go up until it was too late.

The so called “Great Georgetown Flooding of 2011” caused catastrophic damage on the Georgetown waterfront complex.

The deluge left bars, restaurants and other businesses underwater including the lower levels of the parking garage and caused millions of dollars in damages and lost revenue.

It took more than a year for some of the businesses to reopen.

National Museum of the American Latino to be housed in historic Smithsonian building

The Smithsonian Institution has decided to put the National Museum of the American Latino into an existing, historic building, rather than constructing a new one. The Smithsonian Board of Regents on Monday designated the Arts and Industries Building, a 145-year-old redbrick Victorian structure located between the Smithsonian Castle and the Hirshhorn Museum, as the permanent site of the National Museum of the American Latino, which Congress authorized in 2020. In 2022, the Smithsonian narrowed its survey for permanent locations for the National Museum of the American Latino and the American Women's History Museum to four locations near the National Mall on land owned by the National Park Service. The Arts and Industries Building, located at 900 Jefferson St. SW, was one of the four sites. New construction on National Park Service land would require congressional approval. However, since the Smithsonian already owns the Arts and Industries Building, the institution can place the National Museum of the American Latino in the existing building without additional legislation.
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