UPDATE: Tornado, flood watches issued for Fairfax County

(Updated at 12:55 p.m.) Tornado and storm warnings briefly usurped earlier weather alerts for Fairfax County as the National Weather Service noted potential dangers and hazards across the region.

“Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall. This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles,” NWS said in a Severe Thunderstorm Warning alert. “Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.”

An NWS Baltimore-Washington news feed noted just before noon that a Tornado Warning was in effect for parts of Reston and Great Falls until 12:15 p.m. today (Friday). A watch means tornadoes are possible, whereas warnings mean that they are spotted or indicated by radar.

Tornado Warning including Reston VA, Potomac MD and North Potomac MD until 12:15 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/X1NvEinicy

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) May 27, 2022

Some storm damage in my neighbors backyard and up the street in Herndon, VA. As this line moves east, make sure you’re inside and sheltering until it moves through. pic.twitter.com/2iZLAhJqg7

— Alex Liggitt (@7NewsAlex) May 27, 2022

Fairfax County and surrounding areas were also subject to a Severe Thunderstorm Warning until 12:30 p.m. today.

Previously, the National Weather Service issued a Tornado Watch around 6:20 a.m. today that’s in effect until 2 p.m. for Fairfax County and the D.C. region.

Tornadoes, damaging wind gusts and large hail are possible, the NWS said in the earlier alert.

The NWS Baltimore-Washington said on Twitter that scattered gusts could possibly reach 70 mph.

The NWS also issued a Flood Watch at 4:33 a.m. for the county and surrounding areas from 11 a.m. through 11 p.m. today. A NWS meteorologist warned that flash flooding is possible due to excessive rainfall.

“Multiple rounds of thunderstorms producing heavy rainfall may lead to scattered instances of flash flooding,” the NWS said.

A Tornado Watch has been issued for parts of District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia until 2 PM EDT. pic.twitter.com/OG1C3MbdvG

— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) May 27, 2022

Due to the storm risks, the county is under a Hazardous Weather Outlook, per the Fairfax County Office of Emergency Management:

Multiple rounds of showers and thunderstorms are likely starting this morning and continuing through this evening. Localized rainfall totals of 1 to 3 inches are expected, though locations that experience multiple rounds of thunderstorms could exceed 3 inches.

If you’re driving, don’t pass through flooded roads. Turn around, don’t drown. Also, keep children away from creeks and streams that may rise rapidly.

⚠️🌩️🌪️Severe thunderstorms are possible today with the potential for damaging wind gusts, tornadoes, large hail, and flash flooding. Multiple rounds of storms are expected. The greatest risk will be this afternoon/evening. A Flood Watch and Tornado Watch have been issued. #VaWx pic.twitter.com/0WRS1sETgm

— Ready Fairfax (@ReadyFairfax) May 27, 2022