| Meteorological history | |
|---|---|
| Duration | May 13–May 18,2025 |
| Overall effects | |
| Fatalities | 1 |
| Areas affected | Maryland,North Carolina,Virginia,West Virginia,Pennsylvania,Washington,DC |
A significant flood affected parts of the Mid-Atlantic region of the eastern United States in May 2025. A slow-moving weather system began in the southeast and moved north,causing flash flooding from western North Carolina and the Piedmont region of central Virginia to south-central Pennsylvania. [1] [2] Flooding occurred primarily in communities along the Potomac River and its tributaries,beginning on May 13. [2]
A slow-moving atmospheric river began in the Southeast United States,resulting in up to a foot of rain in some areas of the Southeast. [3] The atmospheric river was trapped in the Southeast for days due to a high pressure system in the north. [3] The weather system began moving north,toward western North Carolina and Virginia. [3] Much of the Mid-Atlantic was experiencing a drought,and when drought conditions combined with the heavy rainfall and thunderstorms from the atmospheric river it resulted in flash flooding throughout the region. [3] The storm eventually moved to the Midwestern United States. [3]
Flooding began occurring in Washington,D.C.,on May 15 due to rising levels of the Potomac River and high tides. [2] A coastal flood warning was in place along the Potomac shoreline,with 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) of flooding expected in areas along the river,including the Georgetown neighborhood. [2] Flooding submerged the boardwalk in Washington Harbour and Wisconsin Avenue was in the minor flood stage. [2]
Little Falls,a rapids located at the borders of the District of Columbia,Maryland,and Virginia,was also in a minor flood stage on May 15,with 10 ft (3.0 m) of flooding. [2]
On May 13,the majority of flooding in Maryland occurred in Allegany County,in the Georges Creek Valley region. [1] Georges Creek,a tributary of the Potomac River,rose more than 7 ft (2.1 m) in six hours,reaching a moderate flood level at 12.12 ft (3.69 m) by 5 p.m. [1] The record flood level for the area occurred in 1996,when the creek reached a flood level of 12.77 ft (3.89 m). [1] A flash flood warning was issued for Westernport and Barton on May 13. [1] In Westernport,a town that is prone to flooding,an elementary school was flooded. [1] Fifteen rescue boats were used to evacuate approximately 150 students and 50 staff members from the school. [1] Children from the school reported that the floodwaters had nearly reached the first floor ceiling by the time they were evacuated. [1] News coverage showed several cars floating in the school parking lot. [1] No injuries were reported from the elementary school,and no other schools in the area were impacted. [1] There were additional reports of individuals trapped in cars and homes. [1] A flash flood warning was also issued for Grantsville,Maryland,as moderate rain showers headed north,with some areas receiving three to four inches of rain. [1] Streets in Cumberland were flooded,with vehicles floating in water at about knee-depth. [1]
On Thursday,May 15,in Point of Rocks,the Potomac's levels reached a major flood stage at 21.5 ft (6.6 m) by 4:45 a.m.,beginning to submerge comfort stations and threaten parking areas at boat ramps. [2] Water levels in Point of Rocks had not reached this level since 1910. [2] In Poolesville,Maryland,floodwaters reached 19.1 ft (5.8 m) at the Edwards Ferry boat ramp on Thursday morning. [2] Flood warnings remained in effect for many locations along the Potomac,including Hancock due to additional forecasted rainfall. [2]
On May 14,several locations in New Jersey received over 3 in (76 mm) of rain. [4] Additional rain fell on May 15 across the state,and a tornado was even recorded. [5]
Parts of western North Carolina,including areas recently damaged by Hurricane Helene,were placed under a flood watch. [3] [6] Boone received more than five inches of rain in some areas. [7] Flooded roadways were reported in Boone,Cabarrus County,Valle Crucis,Seven Devils,Foscoe,and Burke County. [7] The flooding was primarily due to rising flood levels for the North and South Fork New River,the Watauga River,and Wilson Creek. [7]
Heavy rainfaill in south-Central Pennsylvania resulted in rising water levels for Conodoguinet Creek,a tributary of the Susquehanna River. [8] By 5:30 a.m. on May 15,the water stage was just below flood stage at 7.9 ft (2.4 m). [8] In Somerset County,some streets were flooded. [1] Flash flood warnings were initially issued for northeastern Adams County,south-central Cumberland County,and west-central York County,but were canceled later in the day. [8] On May 16,police and firefighters in West Chester,performed five water rescues of individuals trapped in cars dure to flooding. [9]
On May 13,the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Augusta,Nelson,and Albemarle counties at 4:26 p.m. that was to remain in effect until 10:30 p.m.,with the county receiving between 4–6 in (100–150 mm) of rain from the night of Monday,May 12 through the night of Tuesday,May 13. [1] [10] On Tuesday afternoon,levels for the Mechums River began to rise at a rate of one foot per hour,reaching five feet above flood stage by midnight. [1] At approximately 5:30 p.m. on May 13,less than an hour after the flash flood warning was issued,a 12-year-old boy named Jordan Sims was swept away by floodwaters after a nearby creek in Albemarle County overtook the roadway he walked on. [1] After receiving a 9-1-1 call,search and rescue teams searched for approximately three hours before pausing the search due to visibility concerns. [11] Flood waters receded considerably overnight,and rescuers resumed their search in the morning,and recovering Sims's body at approximately 8:45 a.m. on May 14. [1]
On May 15,a flood warning was issued for Fauquier and Prince William counties due to small stream flooding near Cedar Run. [2] Floodwaters impacted roads throughout the area,including Route 806. [2] Flood warnings were also issued for Fairfax County,Montgomery County,and Loudoun County until at least the morning of May 17. [2] As of May 15,the water already on the ground was creating dangerous conditions in the areas. [2]
The Hampton Roads region received a severe thunderstorm watch,but did not experience significant flooding. [10]
On May 13 Keyser and Piedmont,West Virginia,were issued flash flood warnings in the early evening. [1] Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Keyser and other areas of Mineral County by late that night,with Governor Patrick Morrisey declaring a state of emergency for the county. [12] Parts of West Virginia Route 46 were covered with rocks and debris,and other roads in the area were damaged. [12] Basements of some residential buildings were flooded,though the majority of the damage was to roads,a school,and the local Walmart. [12] Only one person had to be rescued on the 13th,and there were no reported injuries. [12]
On May 15,flood warnings remained in effect for many locations along the Potomac due to additional forecasted rainfall,including Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry. [2]