Flooding in the Mid-Atlantic is shaping up to be 'potentially dangerous, even life-threatening'
By Ayana Archie, CNN
Updated 7:35 PM ET, Tue July 24, 2018
Four to 10 inches of rain has fallen in the region in the last three days.
(CNN)Numerous flash flood watches and warnings are in effect throughout the Mid-Atlantic, stretching from parts of North Carolina to New York, after the accumulation of record rainfall in the last few weeks.
"To repeat from earlier today, this is a potentially dangerous, even life-threatening, situation," the National Weather Service tweeted Tuesday morning.
CNN meteorologist Dave Hennen said oncoming storms have been "training," or lining up, so when one is moving on, another is coming right behind it, and an area becomes plagued with water.
In most cases, this leads to atmospheric rivers, a long river-like area of water vapors in the sky that materializes as rain or snow. More rain poses a serious threat to the region, putting it at risk for flash flooding, the most severe type. Flash floods fill bodies of water extremely quickly in an unpredictable manner.
Washington has received 8.2 inches of rain since the beginning of July, while the normal amount for this period is 2.8 inches, Dennen said. The rain has fallen over eight days, as the District got no rain until July 17.
Cities in central Pennsylvania have made up 10 of the top 15 wettest areas in the 24 hours from Monday to Tuesday, with some places climbing upward of 8 inches, according to the weather service.
In Pennsylvania, as well as in most of Maryland, and parts of the Virginia and North Carolina coastlines, there is a moderate chance (20-50%) of rainfall exceeding flash flood guidance.
CNN meteorologists predict people in the area will see 2 to 3 inches of rain in coming days.
Over the last three days, 4 to 10 inches of rain fell across the region. Two to 3 inches are expected across the region through Friday night. Already saturated ground makes it hard for extra water to be absorbed.
The weather service advises people in the area to get to higher ground, if possible, avoid driving into floodwaters (12 inches of rain can sweep a car away) and to monitor media outlets for updates.
CNN's Dave Hennen and Judson Jones contributed to this story.
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