Risky Areas For Flooding: County Releases List Of Roads To Avoid

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, MD — County officials continue to urge residents to be cautious and prepare for flooding, as heavy rains washed into Montgomery County Wednesday morning and are expected to continue into Thursday.

Residents of one apartment complex in Rockville were evacuated as water flooded into basement units. One person died in the flooding and another was still unaccounted for on Wednesday afternoon.

Spread the local love: Have a friend who loves staying on top of what's happening in Gaithersburg? Invite via email

Staying Safe

If you need to travel, keep an eye on areas that are prone to flooding. The county released a list of areas that are known to flood — though this is not an all inclusive list.

Here's the list released by Montgomery County:

Down-County Areas:

• MD 29 (Columbia Pike) at Paint Branch – north of White Oak
• MD 185 (Conn. Ave) at Rock Creek – south of Kensington
• MD 190 (River Road) at Cabin John Creek – Potomac
• MD 193 (Univ. Blvd) at Sligo Creek – Wheaton
• MD 586 (Veirs Mill Rd) at Rock Creek – south of Twinbrook Pkwy
• Beach Drive in Rock Creek Park – Kensington-Chevy Chase
• Sligo Creek Pkwy – Silver Spring-Takoma Park

Up-County Areas:

• MD 97 (Georgia Ave) at Reddy Branch – north of Brookeville
• MD 124 (Woodfield Rd) at Goshen Branch and at Great Seneca Creek – north of Brink Road
• MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Great Seneca Creek – west. of Gaithersburg
• MD 117 (Clopper Rd) at Little Seneca Creek – east of Boyds
• MD 355 (Frederick Rd) at Little Seneca Creek – west of Brink
• MD 121 (Clarksburg Rd) near Little Seneca Lake – north of Boyds
• MD 118 (Germantown Rd) at Great Seneca Creek – south of Germantown
• River Rd and Berryville Rd at Seneca Creek
• Blunt Road at Great Seneca Creek – south of Brink Road
• Davis Mill Rd at Great Seneca Creek – north of Gaithersburg
• Brighton Dam Rd at Hawlings River – northeast of Brookeville
• Goldmine Rd at Hawlings River – east of Olney
• Zion Rd at Hawlings River – east of Laytonsville
• Hoyles Mill Rd at ford of Little Seneca Creek – Germantown, west of the soccer complex
• Loghouse Rd at Magruder Branch – south of Damascus
• Elton Farm Rd at Haights Branch – north of Sunshine
• Howard Chapel Rd at Haights Branch – north of Sunshine
• White’s Ferry Road and River Road – White’s Ferry

Driving Precautions during Heavy Rain and Flooding: (From Montgomery County)

• Exercise caution on roadways during periods of heavy rain. Use headlights whenever you use windshield wipers, reduce speeds and maintain a safe distance between vehicles.
• Know your location and do not become distracted while driving. If you need public safety assistance, you need to be able to provide your specific location.
• If you encounter high water, turn around and drive to a safe spot. Call the police non-emergency number at 301-279-8000 to report the situation to emergency personnel.
• Never drive around a street barricade.
• If your vehicle is trapped in high water, call 9-1-1 for rescue. Get to higher ground if you can safely do so.
• Six inches of water can sweep a person off their feet and rocks, tree limbs and other debris can be caught in moving water and be dangerous to you when walking, wading or swimming through flood waters.
• If you have to walk or wade through flood water, use a stick to poke the ground in front to determine depth and any underwater debris.

In Anticipation of Flooding: (From Montgomery County)

• If possible, clear storm drains of leaves and debris and check gutters.
• If your basement is prone to flooding, move valuables to a higher location.
• Store valuables and important personal papers in a waterproof container.
• Avoid areas subject to flooding, including low spots, canals and streams. Know alternate routes to avoid those areas.
• Never attempt to drive over a flooded road—you can be stranded or trapped. The depth of the water and the condition of the road is not always obvious and very difficult to determine at night.

Emergency Alerts

Are you signed up for Montgomery County emergency alerts? If not, sign up here.

County residents can call 911 for emergencies. For information about Montgomery County programs and services (non-emergency), call 311 ( or use 240-777-0311 for cell phones), between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. The call center’s online portal at www.MC311.com.

Emergency Kits: (From the U.S. Government)

• Water (one gallon per person per day for several days, for drinking and sanitation)
• Food (at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food)
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert
• Flashlight
• First aid kit
• Extra batteries
• Whistle (to signal for help)
• Dust mask (to help filter contaminated air)
• Plastic sheeting and duct tape (to shelter in place)
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties (for personal sanitation)
• Wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)
• Manual can opener (for food)
• Local maps
• Cell phone with chargers and a backup battery

The CDC also recommends keeping masks and other COVID-19 related items in your kit.

For more flooding safety tips, click here.