Coastal Flooding Expected As Rain, Wind Roll Into Anne Arundel County

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Moderate flooding is expected through Friday morning in downtown Annapolis and coastal Anne Arundel County.

"The City of Annapolis is preparing for tidal flooding over the next three days with gusty winds and rain expected to begin overnight," the city said in a Wednesday morning Facebook post.

The city said high tides are expected at:

• 2 a.m. Thursday (3.4 feet)
• 12 p.m. Thursday (3.9 feet)
• 12 a.m. Friday (3.6 feet)

At 3.5 feet, water reaches the floor of the Annapolis Maritime Museum, begins to cover Bowyer Road at the U.S. Naval Academy, and numerous businesses on Dock Street are flooded, along with the City Dock parking lot. Bayside Beach begins to flood around Harbor Road and Lake Drive.

The National Weather Service said tides will be 2.5 to 3 feet above normal. About 1 to 2 feet of inundation above ground level is expected in low-lying areas.

The Weather Service issued a coastal flood warning for the entire Anne Arundel County shoreline. The alert begins at 2 p.m. Wednesday and runs through 8 a.m. Friday.

"Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property," the NWS warning said. "If travel is required, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth."

Sandbagging operations begin Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. for Annapolis residents and businesses. Be prepared to show an ID or a business card.

"Do NOT park vehicles on Dock Street or in other low-lying areas. Floodwater can cause serious damage," the City of Annapolis said. "Expect rain and windy conditions through Friday."

Here is the Weather Service's seven-day forecast at the Naval Academy:

Wednesday: Scattered showers, mainly between 11am and 5pm. Cloudy, with a high near 58. Northeast wind around 13 mph, with gusts as high as 22 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night: Rain, with thunderstorms also possible after 5am. Low around 53. East wind 13 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Thursday: Rain and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm, then showers likely, mainly between 2pm and 5pm. High near 67. East wind 13 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers, mainly before 8pm. Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 48. Southwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Sunny, with a high near 60. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 33 mph.

Friday Night: Clear, with a low around 45.

Saturday: Sunny, with a high near 60.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 59.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 43.

Monday: A chance of showers. Mostly sunny, with a high near 63. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Monday Night: A chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 48. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 60.