Tropical Storm Warning For Gusty Winds, Heavy Rains In MD: See Latest Track, Forecast

Updated at 7 p.m.

MARYLAND — A state of emergency was issued in Maryland Friday evening as heavy rain, damaging wind gusts, and even the chance of an isolated tornado are possible for parts of Maryland this weekend thanks to Tropical Storm Ophelia. State officials asked residents to stay off the roads as the storm moves in.

Gov. Wes Moore signed Executive Order 01.01.2023.13 declaring a state of emergency beginning Friday in preparation for the effects of the storm.

“We are asking all Marylanders to remain vigilant, to stay tuned to local news stations for the latest updates, and to follow any instructions local officials may provide during this state of emergency,” Moore said. “If you can avoid driving or being out during the storm please do so. We are expecting an extended period of strong winds, heavy rainfall, and elevated tides. Those under a tropical storm warning should be prepared and exercise caution during this multiple-day event.”

Related: MD Residents Can Prepare For 'Nasty' Tropical Storm Ophelia

People living in coastal areas are at the greatest risk for storm impacts, but heavy rain from the storm will “spread well inland” and gusty winds are expected across the region, said forecasters.

The National Hurricane Center has issued a tropical storm warning for six Maryland counties, along with the Chesapeake Bay, which means tropical storm force winds of greater than 39 mph will begin in North Carolina on Friday and then spread northward into Maryland and Virginia on Saturday.

The tropical storm warning was issued for Worcester, Somerset, Wicomico, Dorchester, Calvert and St. Mary's counties from Friday morning until further notice.

Emergency managment officials urged residents to remain alert and have multiple ways of receiving alerts. The department will further raise the activation level from enhanced to partial at 7 a.m. Saturday.

A state of emergency means residents should remain alert and follow officials’ guidance and news stations in order to be informed of the situation. The order allows the governor to access critical resources in order to increase the state’s response. It also allows Maryland to receive assistance from other states as part of the Emergency Management Assistance Compact.

Wind gusts of 50 mph are possible in the Annapolis area, where the National Weather Service warned of possible street flooding in the business district near the harbor. And in Ocean City, 55 mph winds are expected late Friday through Saturday, with up to 6 inches of rain, causing flooding in the downtown area.

A wind advisory will be in effect from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday for portions of central, northeast and southern Maryland, the District of Columbia and central and northern Virginia. Northeast winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph are expected in the DC-Baltimore region. Gusts up to 50 mph are likely along the immediate shore of the Chesapeake Bay and tidal Potomac.

The wind advisory includes: Baltimore, Anne Arundel, Harford, Cecil, Prince George's, Charles, Montgomery and Howard counties, plus the cities of Elkton, Bowie, Suitland-Silver Hill, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Waldorf, Germantown, Damascus, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Columbia and Ellicott City.

Ocean City crews have begun closing the seawall and removing items from the beach. Residents are asked to secure outdoor furniture, grills and water vessels, and prepare for power outages before the storm, which could become Tropical Storm Ophelia, reaches the area.

Coastal flooding is forecast in some areas early Saturday morning. But it is the Saturday afternoon high tide that is of most concern for most of those areas, including Maryland coastal areas, according to The Weather Channel.

"We expect this storm's peak impacts to be Friday and Saturday, with some lingering impacts possible Sunday," The Weather Channel said.

The NWS has issued a coastal flood watch from Friday evening through Saturday evening. The storm, now known as Tropical Cyclone Sixteen, could produce one to two feet of inundation above ground level in low-lying areas near shorelines and tidal waterways.

"Numerous roads may be closed. Low-lying property, including homes, businesses, and some critical infrastructure may be inundated. Some shoreline erosion may occur," the NWS said.

According to the latest forecast, the lower Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland counties will be most affected.

Forecasters are predicting several foot Chesapeake Bay tidal surges associated with the storm, which will cause flooding in low-lying shore areas within the Chesapeake Bay watershed. This, along with heavy rain in some areas, may cause roadway flooding. Drivers are urged to take care of any business today to safely ride the storm out on Saturday into Sunday when the storm primarily impacts the state.

State Highway Administration maintenance personnel are preparing for heavy rain by cleaning drainage inlets, pipes, and ditches to reduce standing water on roadways.

The SHA asked residents to avoid travel unless necessary. If you must drive during the storm remember these precautions:

• Do not try to cross a flooded roadway. Eighty percent of flood-related deaths occur in vehicles. “Turn Around. Don’t Drown.” Two feet of rapidly moving water can float a bus and six inches can knock a person off their feet.
• Avoid downed or damaged power and transmission wires and cables.
• Be cognizant of fallen trees or severely damaged brush.
• Keep alert for wild animals, such as deer, that will be fleeing dangerous areas and crossing the roadways. 

For a complete listing of highway incidents on state roads in real-time, click here. Motorists in need of roadside assistance on a state highway (numbered routes) may dial #77 on their mobile devices.

These watches and warnings have been posted for the storm along the Atlantic coast from the Carolinas to Delaware:

A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:

• Duck North Carolina to Chincoteague Virginia
• Chesapeake Bay south of Windmill Point
• Neuse and Pamlico Rivers
• Portions of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds

A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:

• Cape Fear North Carolina to Fenwick Island Delaware
• Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds
• Tidal Potomac south of Cobb Island
• Chesapeake Bay south of North Beach

A Storm Surge Watch is in effect for:

• Surf City to Duck North Carolina
• Chesapeake Bay north of Windmill Point to Smith Point
• Tidal Potomac south of Colonial Beach
• Remainder of Pamlico and Albemarle Sounds

AccuWeather meteorologists believe the formation of a tropical or subtropical storm, which would warrant a name, could occur just prior to landfall in eastern North Carolina. "This system is likely to make landfall in eastern North Carolina on Saturday morning," AccuWeather Hurricane Expert Dan Kottlowski said.

"There is even a chance the storm could reach hurricane intensity, should it remain over warm waters along the immediate coast long enough on Saturday," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.

If the storm tracks right along the coast or just inland, a significant amount of water may be pushed into the Chesapeake and Delaware bays, "which could result in moderate coastal flooding at times of high tide, as opposed to minor coastal flooding," AccuWeather said.

A storm surge of 1 to 3 feet will occur from southeastern New York to South Carolina. However, a storm surge of 3 to 6 feet is likely from North Carolina to southeastern Virginia, with locally higher water levels.

Baltimore's WJZ First Alert weather team said it has declared an "alert day" for Saturday in anticipation of the severe weather from the potential tropical storm.

Rain will spread into southern Maryland late Friday night and into the Baltimore area by Saturday morning. "The rain may become locally heavy across southern Maryland," WJZ News said. "Gusty east winds will continue into Saturday with the potential for coastal flooding, especially during high tide cycles.

Water levels of 1 to 2 feet above normal are possible, and rainfall totals of up to 3 inches will be possible through Saturday night and early Sunday, with the heaviest totals focused across southern Maryland and the Eastern Shore, according to WJZ.

The effects of the storm will start to diminish by Sunday, but there will still be rain across the region. Highs will reach the 70s for most areas of the Eastern Shore and Baltimore area, and winds will not be as gusty, WJZ said.

During the storm, a few flooding downpours may be accompanied by winds gusty enough Saturday and Saturday night to cause some damage and power outages, according to the Capital Weather Gang.

Here is a look at the National Weather Service forecast through early next week in central Maryland:

Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 72. East wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

Friday night: Rain, mainly after 11pm. Low around 57. Northeast wind 11 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

Saturday: Rain. High near 62. Breezy, with a northeast wind 22 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.

Saturday night: Rain before 2 a.m., then showers after 2 a.m. Low around 58. Breezy, with a north wind 17 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 38 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible.

Sunday: Showers, mainly before 8 a.m. High near 65. Northwest wind 10 to 13 mph.

Sunday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Monday: A chance of showers after 2 p.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 70.

Monday night: A chance of showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 57.

Tuesday: A chance of showers after 2 p.m. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 68.

Tuesday night: A chance of showers before 2 a.m. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 56.

Wednesday: A chance of showers. Partly sunny, with a high near 67.