Countywide

UPDATED: Tornado Watch replaced by Flood Warning for Fairfax County

By Angela Woolsey
Stream runs into a culvert near the Washington & Old Dominion Trail in Vienna during rain storm (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Tornado Watch and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings issued earlier today (Monday) for Fairfax County have been canceled or expired, but an Areal Flood Warning is now in effect until 6:30 p.m.

“Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring,” the 3:33 p.m. alert said. “Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall. Low-water crossings are inundated with water and may not be passable.”

According to the NWS, runoff combined with 1 to 2 inches of rain has resulted in “multiple” reports of flooding along I-495 south of the American Legion Bridge. An additional half-inch of rain is possible in the warned area, which includes Tysons, Reston, Annandale, Vienna, Falls Church, Burke and Chantilly.

A few roads across the county have closed since rain began to fall in earnest earlier this afternoon. According to Fairfax Alerts:

This morning, the NWS issued a Tornado Watch and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings, originally scheduling the former to stay in place until 7 p.m. today, with thunderstorms and strong winds forecast throughout the afternoon and evening.

“Severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds and tornadoes are likely this afternoon and evening,” the NWS said in a hazardous weather outlook just after 11 a.m. “There is the potential for significant damage from wind gusts of 70 to 80 mph as well as an isolated stronger tornado.”

In fact, thunderstorms bringing 60 mph wind gusts have already been spotted in the Fredericksburg area, moving northeast toward Northern Virginia, prompting the NWS to issue the thunderstorm warning at 11:17 a.m.

The warning initially applied to southwestern Fairfax County, including Centreville and Clifton, before shifting to northern Fairfax until 12:30 p.m.

“Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall,” the NWS said. “This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible.”

In anticipation of the severe weather, Fairfax County Public Schools announced last night that students will be released three hours early and all afternoon activities on school grounds will be canceled.

George Mason University is also calling off in-person classes and events on its campuses after 1:30 p.m., advising students to wait for more information about alternative plans from their instructors.

“It is anticipated that the university will resume normal operations on Tuesday,” GMU said. “Employees are expected to continue their work responsibilities remotely, regardless of scheduled telework days or agreements.”

In addition, Fairfax County is granting all local government employees unscheduled leave starting at 1 p.m. The county’s circuit, general district and juvenile courts and the main courthouse will close early at 1 p.m., and all community centers, recreation centers and libraries will close at 5 p.m.

Early voting at the Mount Vernon and North County governmental centers on Virginia’s redistricting referendum will be cut off at 4:30 p.m. instead of the usual 7 p.m. closing time. The Fairfax County Government Center site closes at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays anyway.

Travelers flying into or out of Dulles International and Reagan National airports could face flight cancellations or delays.

The full Areal Flood Warning is below.

…FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 630 PM EDT THIS EVENING…

* WHAT…Small stream flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.

* WHERE…Portions of central Maryland, including the following county, Montgomery and northern Virginia, including the following county, City of Fairfax, City of Falls Church and Fairfax.

* WHEN…Until 630 PM EDT.

* IMPACTS…Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring. Streams continue to rise due to excess runoff from earlier rainfall. Low-water crossings are inundated with water and may not be passable.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS…
– At 333 PM EDT, emergency management reported that increased runoff combined with 1 to 2 inches of rain has led to multiple reports of small stream flooding of roads along with storm drain flooding along the I-495 south of the American Legion bridge. Between 1 and 2 inches of rain have fallen.

– Additional rainfall amounts up to 0.5 inches are possible in the warned area.
– Some locations that will experience flooding include…
Centreville… Rockville…
Bethesda… Reston…
Annandale… Fairfax…
Vienna… Falls Church…
Mantua… Pimmit Hills…
Mclean… American Legion Bridge…
Potomac… North Bethesda…
Burke… Oakton…
North Potomac… Chantilly…
Tysons Corner… Wolf Trap…
– Please visit www.weather.gov/safety/flood for flood safety and preparedness information

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles.

Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become unstable and unsafe.

About the Author

  • Angela Woolsey is the site editor for FFXnow. A graduate of George Mason University, she worked as a general assignment reporter for the Fairfax County Times before joining Local News Now as the Tysons Reporter editor in 2020.