Slow-Moving Ophelia Could Bring 4 Inches Of Rain, Flooding To Maryland

Updated at 8:30 p.m.

MARYLAND — A flood watch remains in effect and up to 4 inches of rain is possible in central and southern Maryland this weekend as Tropical Storm Ophelia moves across Virginia, and buffets the mid-Atlantic with strong wind gusts.

Ophelia was downgraded from a tropical storm by the National Hurricane Center’s 8 p.m. update Saturday, and the storm was approaching the Richmond area. The storm is expected to bring additional rain through Sunday

“On the forecast track, the center of Ophelia is expected to continue moving over southeastern Virginia through tonight, and then over the Delmarva Peninsula by tomorrow,” said the National Hurricane Center. “Maximum sustained winds have decreased to near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Additional weakening is expected, and Ophelia is likely to become a post-tropical cyclone tomorrow.”

The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch from 8 p.m. Saturday through 8 a.m. Sunday morning, warning that flash flooding is a risk in urban areas because of excessive rainfall.

The flood watch covers the District of Columbia, Anne Arundel, Howard, Montgomery, Charles, Prince George's and Baltimore counties. Also included are the cities of Baltimore, Bowie, College Park, Greenbelt, Laurel, Glen Burnie, Annapolis, Severn, Severna Park, Arnold, Odenton, Waldorf, Bethesda, Rockville, Gaithersburg, Silver Spring, Columbia, and Ellicott City.

"As the center of Tropical Storm Ophelia moves north along or near the Interstate 95 corridor, it will produce an area of enhanced rainfall. This is expected to result in 2 to 3 inches of rain, with high end amounts of 4 inches possible," the NWS alert said. "This heavy rainfall will occur in a 1 to 2 hour period, and could result in flash flooding within the urban I-95 corridor."

The storm made landfall at about 6:15 a.m. on Saturday near Emerald Isle, North Carolina, according to the National Hurricane Center. At landfall, Ophelia had maximum sustained winds of 70 mph, just shy of hurricane strength.

The center of Ophelia is forecast to weaken as it moves over Virginia and Maryland Saturday night. Rain, wind, coastal flooding and high surf will occur well before the arrival of the storm's center, according to The Weather Channel.

A wind advisory for central, eastern and southern Maryland will remain in effect until 8 p.m. on Saturday, with winds 20 to 30 mph and gusts up to 50 mph expected, the National Weather Service said.

"Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result," the NWS said. "The combination of a long period of gusty winds and increasingly saturated grounds from rain will result in a higher likelihood for downed trees across the area."

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, according to AccuWeather.

On Friday, Gov. Wes Moore signed Executive Order 01.01.2023.13 declaring a state of emergency beginning in preparation for the effects of the storm. Emergency management officials urged residents to remain alert and have multiple ways of receiving alerts.

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.

The streets of Ocean City started to flood early Saturday morning, with wind gusts of 50 mph, as Ophelia moved up the East Coast, according to WJZ.

Ocean City said Friday that its personnel completed pre-storm action items, including closing the seawall and removing items from the beach. Residents were instructed to secure outdoor furniture, grills and water vessels, and prepare for power outages.

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

Coastal flooding is a serious concern for areas along the Tidal Potomac and shores of the Chesapeake Bay as the storm pushes a surge of water northward, especially true near high tide for areas in Annapolis and Baltimore that typically flood during major coastal storms, the Capital Weather Gang reported.

Weekend events canceled because of the weather, according to WBAL, include:

• The Annapolis Kunta Kinte Festival
• Annapolis Water Taxi service will end at 6 p.m. Friday/out of service all day Saturday
• Artscape on Saturday
• The Big Bike Build fundraiser at Stevenson University
• The Harford County Wine Festival
• The Susquehanna River Running Festival

Some thunder could accompany the heavy rain Saturday night, with a slight chance of a couple brief tornadoes in southern Maryland, according to the Capital Weather Gang.

The combination of a long period of gusty winds and increasingly saturated grounds from rain will result in a higher likelihood for downed trees across the area.

The NWS issued a tropical storm warning for Worcester, Somerset, Wicomico, Dorchester, Calvert and St. Mary's counties through Sunday morning.

A coastal flood advisory has been issued for Anne Arundel County from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. Saturday. A coastal flood warning has been issued for Anne Arundel County from 8 p.m. Saturday until 8 a.m. Sunday.

A wind advisory has been issued for Cecil, Howard, Montgomery, Charles, Prince George's, Anne Arundel, Harford, Baltimore, Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties until 8 p.m. on Saturday.

A flood watch has been issued for Dorchester, Somerset and Worcester counties and the Maryland beaches until further notice.