200 Rescued By Boat From MD Floodwaters As Rain Chances Linger, Gov. Moore Urges Caution

MARYLAND — Widespread rain on Tuesday brought dangerous flooding to parts of Maryland, forcing the evacuation of 200 people from an elementary school as waters reached the second floor. And rain chances linger through Saturday as Gov. Wes Moore activated state agencies to deal with the emergency.

Flooding swiftly became a reality in far western portions of the state on Tuesday as emergency officials ordered evacuations in Allegany County. Homes and businesses in downtown Westernport were also inundated with floodwaters after hours of heavy rain.

Allegany County spokesperson Kati Kenney told The Associated Press that rescue crews used boats to evacuate Westernport Elementary School after water began to breach the second floor of the building. About 150 students and 50 adults were evacuated during 15 boat trips.

Alley Wade, whose sons attend the school, told CNN she had a "panic attack" when she heard about the evacuations.

“It was very scary,” Wade told CNN.

• See Also: Child's Body Found Amid VA Floodwaters After Boy Reported Missing

Kenney said additional evacuations were underway in nearby areas, with reports of people trapped in cars and houses, but no injuries had been reported as of late Tuesday afternoon. She said emergency crews from surrounding counties were helping with the response.

Another elementary school was also evacuated, and students at a middle school were sheltering in place, the Allegany County Department of Emergency Services said Tuesday evening. Officials said three emergency shelters had been opened across the county.

Westernport Mayor Judy Hamilton said the town has been prone to severe flooding in the past, but they weren’t expecting it today.

“It just seemed to happen all at once,” she said. “My heart is breaking.”

With a population of less than 2,000 people, Westernport is located in the far corner of western Maryland. Its downtown took shape in a valley where Georges Creek flows into the North Branch Potomac River.

Georges Creek reached moderate flood level at 12.12 feet as of 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to Accuweather. It rose more than 7 feet in six hours. Major flooding begins as 12 feet and the record is 12.77 feet in 1996.

Governor Urges Caution, State Response

Gov. Wes Moore urged Marylanders to use extreme caution amid the ongoing flash flooding in the Allegany County area.

"We remain in close contact with local officials and continue to coordinate resources as the rain continues to fall,” Moore said. ”I urge all Marylanders to remain vigilant, heed warnings from local officials, and prioritize safety during this time. If you don’t have to go out, please do not go out. Stay off the roads if possible and heed any evacuation orders.”

Residents are reminded to avoid driving on flooded roadways and never go around barricades. If drivers come across a barricade, they should turn around and find an alternate route.

The Maryland Department of Emergency Management activated the State Emergency Operations Center to coordinate the state’s response.

Howard County, Frederick County, and Montgomery County have each deployed swift water rescue teams to western Maryland.

There are several road closures in both Garrett and Allegany counties. For the latest information, visit chart.maryland.gov/Incidents/GetIncidents, select the county, and click on "road closures."

Allegany County Emergency Services reported that floodwaters have caused washouts and gas line leaks. If residents smell gas inside the home, they should call 9-1-1 immediately and stay clear of areas where gas odors are present.

Flood Warning, Latest Forecast

A flood warning remained in effect Wednesday morning for several rivers, including the North Branch of the Potomac affecting Allegany County and the Potomac River at Washington County, according to the National Weather Service.

The area’s rainfall is estimated at about 4.65 inches since midnight last night, with additional rainfall expected throughout the evening, Moore's office said. Forecasting of the North Branch Potomac River in Cumberland is expected to reach 22.6 feet overnight, which would mark the highest river crest since 1996.

A coastal flood advisory was also in effect for the shoreline in southeast Harford County.

“We are closely monitoring the flood conditions that are present across Western Maryland due to heavy rainfall, especially in Allegany County,” Gov. Wes Moore said in a social media post, adding that the state and local authorities were actively responding to the inundation.

The Washington Post's Capital Weather Gang said the immediate D.C. region recorded 1 to 3 inches of rain on Tuesday. The highest amounts of rain were 2 to 3 inches west of Interstate 95 between Prince William County and Fairfax County in Virginia and Montgomery County in Maryland, as well as northern Anne Arundel County, Maryland.

Baltimore-Washington International Marshall Airport recorded 2.93 inches of rainfall, forecasters said.

The Capital Weather Gang expects Wednesday afternoon's scattered showers and thunderstorms to be a "hit or miss." However, the chance of storms could expand between 6 p.m. and midnight, bringing gusty winds and a risk of flooding.

Chances of showers continue from Thursday to Saturday, before dry conditions are forecast to return Saturday night.

Here is the full National Weather Service forecast for the days ahead at Baltimore/Washington International Airport:

Wednesday: A slight chance of showers, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 74. East wind around 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Wednesday Night: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2am, then a chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Otherwise, cloudy, with a low around 63. East wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.

Thursday: A chance of showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 2pm. Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Calm wind becoming southeast around 5 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms before 11pm, then a slight chance of showers between 11pm and 2am, then a slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 64. Calm wind. Chance of precipitation is 30%.

Friday: Showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 84. Calm wind becoming southwest 5 to 7 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Friday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 66. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Saturday: A chance of showers after 8am. Partly sunny, with a high near 86. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 64.

Sunday: Sunny, with a high near 80.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

See Also: Get The Latest Local News (For Free!) With One Quick Tap