Settle in for a potentially stormy night as Debby, now a tropical depression, is expected to reach the mid-Atlantic region.
The National Weather Service has issued Tornado Watch for the D.C. area, including Fairfax County, in anticipation of the storm, which first made landfall in Florida as a hurricane on Monday (Aug. 5). Fairfax County also faces a Flood Watch and a Coastal Flood Advisory.
The Fairfax County Park Authority preemptively canceled all outdoor events scheduled for this afternoon and evening, and the National Park Service says travel on the George Washington Memorial Parkway’s northern section will be limited to one travel lane in each direction during rush hour tomorrow (Friday).
The parkway has been utilizing a temporary third lane that changes directions based on where the peak travel is headed due to construction on a rehabilitation project expected to finish next year.
“The reversible lane will be suspended during AM and PM rush hour on Friday, August 9 between I-495 and Windy Run Bridge,” the park service said. “Please expect travel delays and plan to use alternate routes. NPS will continue to monitor weather conditions along the parkway during the tropical storm. Crews anticipate opening the reversible lane for morning rush hour on Monday, August 12.”
The Tornado Watch, which means that a tornado is possible, went out at 6:37 p.m. and is currently scheduled to stay in place until 7 a.m. tomorrow (Friday). The NWS advises having a phone or another way to get alerts nearby and identifying a place to go in case a tornado warning comes in.
According to the Capital Weather Gang, the chance of a tornado appears to be highest between 6 and 11 a.m. tomorrow.
A Tornado Watch is in effect east of the Alleghenies until 7am Friday. The tornado threat will increase from southern & eastern VA through this evening & into the overnight hours. Have a way to get warning via 📱, 📺, 📻, & 💻. Also know where to go when a warning is issued. pic.twitter.com/LoSIowzqLD
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) August 8, 2024
Good tips from the experts with the threat for #twisters in NOVA tonight. Make sure to keep your phone on to readily receive warnings and be prepared to seek shelter. https://t.co/glXjbavXHP
— VDOT Northern VA (@VaDOTNOVA) August 8, 2024
Scheduled to last until 8 p.m. tomorrow, the Flood Watch specifically focuses on the Potomac River at Little Falls, meaning flooding could affect the McLean area.
A Coastal Flood Advisory has also been issued for 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow.
…COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 9 PM EDT FRIDAY…
* WHAT…Up to one half foot of inundation above ground level expected in low lying areas due to tidal flooding.
* WHERE…In Maryland, Prince Georges County. In Virginia, Fairfax, Stafford and Central and Southeast Prince William/Manassas/Manassas Park Counties.
* WHEN…From 4 AM to 9 PM EDT Friday, especially around the time of high tide.
* IMPACTS…Flooding of lots, parks, and roads with only isolated road closures expected.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…
If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed. Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.
In a forecast released shortly after 3:30 p.m., the NWS Weather Prediction Center says Debby will weaken as it moves further away from the ocean, but “heavy rain, flash and river flooding effects will continue over the next two days as the storm begins its northeastward acceleration.”
A tornado touched down in Tysons on March 31, 2022, damaging two gas stations on Route 123 near Tysons Corner Center.
Earlier this week, Fairfax County Fire and Rescue personnel with Virginia Task Force 1 deployed to South Carolina to assist with the emergency response to Debby,
