Meteorologists say the worst of post-tropical low Ophelia has already washed over the D.C. area, but some weather-related risks will linger through Sunday.
Here’s what you need to know.
The National Weather Service has issued the following alerts, in effect through Sunday:
- Coastal flood advisory remains in effect until 6 p.m. for the shoreline in D.C., Arlington County, and the City of Alexandria.
- Flooding is expected at the D.C. seafood market and in buildings in Old Town Alexandria, and in portions of East Potomac Park. Water is expected to cover the boardwalk at Washington Harbour.
- Coastal flood warning in effect until 5 p.m. for the shoreline in Anne Arundel County.
7News First Alert Meteorologist Jordan Evans says flooding concerns along the Potomac will diminish and the area will see drier weather later Sunday.
Clouds and northerly breezes will keep temperatures down in the 60s throughout the day.
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From tropical storm, to tropical depression, to post-tropical low
Tropical Storm Ophelia was downgraded to a post-tropical low on Saturday night but continued to pose a threat of coastal flooding and flash floods in the mid-Atlantic region, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.
Residents in parts of coastal North Carolina and Virginia experienced flooding Saturday after the storm made landfall near a North Carolina barrier island, bringing rain, damaging winds and dangerous surges.
Areas from Virginia to New Jersey are likely to receive 1 to 3 inches (2.5 to 7.6 centimeters) of rain and up to 5 inches (12.7 centimeters) in some places, the center said. Some New Jersey shore communities, including Sea Isle City, had already experienced flooding Saturday.
The impact of the storm
Ophelia whipped up some destructive winds and rain on Saturday while it was still classified as a tropical storm.
Almost three inches of rainfall were recorded by the NWS in the evening in Calvert and Prince George’s counties in Maryland. Wind gusts also reached a high of 56 mph in parts of southern Maryland, according to the service.
Many outdoor events were cancelled on Saturday, including the beginning of Oktoberfest festivities, arts and cultural festivals throughout the region and the Anacostia River Splash.
The Washington Nationals’ second Saturday game against the Atlanta Braves was also postponed and is now taking place on Sunday at 6:35 p.m.
Outages
The storm also had a large impact on homes and business in the area on Saturday, with over 2,000 customers without power in the evening.
As of early Sunday morning, most of the outages were concentrated in northern Virginia with Dominion, with 944 customers out of power in Fairfax County and 50 out of power in Arlington County.
There were also over 500 Pepco customers in D.C. and southern Maryland in the dark as of early Sunday, spread across the District, Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.
Forecast
SUNDAY EVENING:Scattered showers ending before midnightHighs: Mid 60sWinds: North 10-15 mph
SUNDAY NIGHT:Cloudy skiesLows: Low 60sWinds: North 5 mph
MONDAY:Cloudy with evening isolated showersHighs: Upper 60sWinds: Northeast 5-15 mph
TUESDAY:Cloudy with isolated showersHighs: 60sWinds: Northeast 5-10 mph
WEDNESDAY:Partly cloudyHighs: 60sWinds: Northeast 5-10 mph
THURSDAY:Mostly cloudy with scattered showersHighs: Around 70Winds: Northeast 5-10 mph
Current weather
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
