Flash Floods Slam Anne Arundel County, Swamp Odenton: Photo Story

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MD — Thunderstorms hovered over Anne Arundel County on Wednesday and Thursday. The powerful pocket of rain proved dangerous, leading to flash floods and slippery roads across the area.

The National Weather Service issued a flash flood watch just before 2 a.m. Thursday. It will last until 12 a.m. Friday. Many parts of Anne Arundel County were also under flash flood, flood and severe thunderstorm warnings on Wednesday.

A watch means that those conditions may develop in the near future. A warning signifies an active and ongoing weather event.

The National Weather Service advises county residents to monitor local water forecasts at this link. Residents should take immediate action if a flash flood warning emerges, forecasters suggest. Officials asks residents to avoid driving through pools, as a few inches of water can trap a car or make it float.

The front of slow-moving storms dumped heavy rains on isolated areas over the last two days. Though this front lingers, new storms can spin off quickly, the National Weather Service warns.

"Heavy rainfall from thunderstorms may lead to flash flooding," the National Weather Service said in an update. "Potential impacts include rapid rises of water, flooded roads and flooding of structures in low lying areas near streams. Landslides and washouts are also possible."

The towns most at-risk are Laurel, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, South Gate, Severna Park, Arnold and Odenton. Though the warning expires at midnight, thunderstorms may continue through the weekend, prolonging the potential for floods.

The rains slammed Odenton on Wednesday, shaking trees and swamping streets. The floodwaters left some roadways impassable, especially in this neighborhood near Odenton Elementary School. (Photo Courtesy of Olivia Gadson.)

Another Odenton resident, Josh Ford, caught the sheets of rain on video. His clip captures the booming thunder and flashing lightening.

The storms didn't stop traffic in Pasadena, but it made the drive a little sloshy.

Davidsonville was disrupted with the flooding on Defense Highway. Standing water closed the thoroughfare between Pebblebrook Court and Huntwood Drive.

As usual, not even thunderstorms could stop Annapolitans from fishing. Captain Tom Weaver braved the storm and took to the Chesapeake Bay.

"There's nothing like fishing in the rain, right?" Weaver asked his boating partners. "What do they say? A bad day fishing beats a good day at work."

RELATED:

• Flash Floods Strand Cars Across Prince George's: Photo Story

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.