Maryland and Virginia under state of emergency as more heavy rains approach
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Version 0 of 1. With days of heavy rain in the forecast, the Washington region is canceling weekend events and preparing for potential emergency conditions. Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced a state of emergency on Thursday, joining Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D), who declared one the day before. In both states, the declaration means that National Guard troops can mobilize to deal with hazardous conditions and local authorities can evacuate neighborhoods if necessary. D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser (D) has been speaking with emergency management staff, and the District will implement extra preparations at its Emergency Operations Center starting Friday afternoon, according to a news release from the mayor’s office. [Hurricane Joaquin strengthens, threatens East Coast with floods] The region already was soaked by heavy rain on Tuesday and more precipitation on Wednesday and Thursday. The forecast calls for still more rain on Friday and Saturday, with the full impact of Hurricane Joaquin starting Sunday. Forecasts late Thursday showed the Mid-Atlantic avoiding a direct hit, leaving the Washington area to experience its effects as significant rainfall with possible flooding. Forecasters will know more as the storm, which was in the Bahamas late Thursday with maximum sustained winds of 135 mph, draws nearer. [Capital Weather Gang: The Hurricane Joaquin worst-case scenario] Several schools have canceled outdoor activities scheduled for Friday, and numerous events have been canceled in anticipation of the wet weekend. Among them: Alexandria’s Art on the Avenue, a Montgomery County Parks harvest festival, the National Zoo’s Autumn Conservation Festival, Taste of Bethesda and GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump’s appearance at a rally in Virginia Beach. The University of Maryland moved the time of its Saturday football game against the University of Michigan from 8 p.m. to noon, and the Washington Redskins’ NFL game against the Philadelphia Eagles at FedEx Field might be moved to another venue. In Alexandria, where high tides routinely cause minor flooding along the riverfront, city officials are worried by a National Weather Service prediction that the Potomac River’s high tide will reach 4.43 feet at 1 a.m. Saturday. The city will lend about 5,000 free sandbags on Friday. McAuliffe and Hogan both spoke about the potential weather double whammy throughout both states — a serious storm prior to Hurricane Joaquin. “We know there’s going to be some significant impact to the state,” Hogan said. “We’re hoping for the best and preparing for the worst. At the best, we’re going to have some flooding and heavy rains and some winds. And at its worst, we could have significantly more damage.” Hogan said coastal and low-lying areas face the greatest risk, but he noted that the storm could affect any part of the state. He said that state shelters are on standby and utility companies are preparing to respond to potential power outages. “This is a proactive measure to ensure that all necessary resources are mobilized in our state in areas with the greatest potential need,” Hogan said. “We just wanted to activate all the potential resources of state government.” McAuliffe said at a news conference Thursday: “My message to all Virginians is that we are going to see flooding throughout the commonwealth over the next 36 hours. . . . I want you to know that we are prepared if Hurricane Joaquin were to land here in the Commonwealth of Virginia. We have been preparing for this for 20 months.” While coastal flooding is often a main concern with big storms, McAuliffe stressed that every river in the state could overflow its banks. He said that Tuesday’s rainfall already had washed away more than nine roads in central and southwest Virginia. In the rural southwestern part of the state, flash flooding is common because there is less storm infrastructure than in low-lying areas, such as Hampton Roads. In Norfolk and surroundings areas, officials said, tunnels may be closed. Ferry operations already have been suspended in the Northern Neck. “We have the largest naval base in the world, and with that comes the responsibility of what they need to do with their particular assets,” McAuliffe said. “We are working with the National Guard to make sure we’re taking all precautions necessary to make sure we protect those assets — and most importantly to protect the lives of Virginians.” Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, of the Virginia National Guard, said that 800 guardsmen have been put on notice. In the Washington area, local governments sent out several reminders to their citizens. Among their tips: clear storm drains so that they can handle the water; move valuables out of basements; make sure to have enough drinking water on hand; avoid walking in or driving into moving water. Josh Hicks and Patricia Sullivan contributed to this report. |