DC metro area: After extensive floods, there is still no emergency aid, as 14 million people are on alert

by

Nearly 14 million people were under a warning of coastal flooding early Saturday, according to the National Weather Service.

“Neighbors who’ve been here a long time say it’s not been that high since Isabel, and in their lifetime it’s the only time it’s been that high,” said Tyler Fields, a resident of Baltimore County. to CNN-affiliated WJZ with reference to Hurricane Isabel, which crash-landed in North Carolina in 2003 and moved north into the area.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency for areas along the shores of the Chesapeake Bay, the Potomac River and the Atlantic coast.
“While most of the heavy rainfall has been completed, further rain will track from south to north tonight,” the local NWS in the Washington-Baltimore region said late Friday. “In addition, tidal / coastal flooding continues with moderate to greater flooding in the forecast!”

The water level will remain elevated through at least Saturday, it said.

Earlier Friday, strong winds pushed water into Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay, while also moving water inland – causing flooding along the coasts of Maryland, Virginia, Delaware and New Jersey.

A woman points to two people paddling through floods in a canoe in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.

Forecasters predicted that the powerful storm would be one of the most significant tidal floods to occur when sea levels rise well above normal and spill water onto dry land. The water level in parts of the region reached the knee of some residents on Friday.

The Washington Channel – which runs parallel to the Potomac River in Washington, DC – and Alexandria, Virginia, could see a high tide that will bring water levels up to 5 feet above normal around 3:30 a.m. Saturday, the NWS warned. Low-lying areas are the most vulnerable.

DC-Baltimore region prepares for tidal floods that could be the worst in two decades

The weather service expects part of Washington’s Navy Yard neighborhood to flood. And in the historic old town of Alexandria – which was exposed to flooding on Friday – more misery has been predicted. The coastal flood warning for these areas is effective up to and including 8 ONE SUNDAY.

In anticipation, officials in the city of Alexandria are urging city residents to take precautions.

“Property owners are urged to take the necessary measures to protect flood-prone property; if you have to travel, do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth,” the city warned on its website.
A police officer pulls a potted plant across a flooded street near a bar in Old Town Alexandria.

Floods overtook the streets

In southwestern DC, the municipal fish market at Wharf, which is located along a waterfront, experienced flooding so high that some customers could not even reach some of the stores there.

And even though the market is prone to flooding, worker Antonio Sanabria told CNN-affiliated WUSA that he had not seen such high water levels.

“It came out of nowhere and we thought we would be prepared, but I think we pretty much got it,” Sanabria told the news media. “We have tied all the boats, we got brand new rigs in the whole boat and tied everything brand new last night.”

Captain White’s Seafood was forced to close Friday as some workers used garbage bags to wade through the water to leave, WUSA reported.

In North Beach, Maryland, waves crashed across the boardwalk.

“It was amazing and powerful to witness, but we are concerned about our neighbors and local businesses being damaged by the waves and floods,” said resident Wendy Bohon.

In Baltimore County, some residents grabbed kayaks to get around.

“Well, it was a lot easier to move from place to place,” resident Logan Wozniak told CNN affiliate WJZ. “In addition, the water got really high and it came over my boots and I didn’t want to keep getting wet.”

CNN’s Christina Zdanowicz contributed to this report.

.

Leave a Comment