Community Corner

UPDATE: New Map with Flash Flood Warnings, No Power Outages in McLean

What is your emergency plan?

UPDATE 9:13 pm. Nearly 200 Dominion Power customers are without power in Fairfax County. No McLean customers are affects.

Here is the upcoming weather forecast:  Tonight: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers. Some of the storms could produce gusty winds and heavy rain. Low around 58. Southwest wind between 8 and 11 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible.

Saturday: Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 76. West wind between 6 and 9 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 54. West wind between 6 and 9 mph.

UPDATE 6:45. WTOP radio just reminded us, don't be fooled now that the rain and thunder have temporarily stopped. We're still waiting for the main event this evening.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

UPDATE 6:40 pm. McLean neighbor Lisa Kaplan Gordon just shared video of the storm from her backyard.

Please send us your pictures and video of the storm in your neighborhood.

Find out what's happening in McLeanwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

UPDATE 5:54pm. Updated map. Please note the flash flood warnings.

No power outages in McLean.

UPDATE 3:46pm. Here is the latest alert from Fairfax County:

The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch until 9 p.m. for Fairfax County and the entire National Capital Area.

Thunderstorms, heavy rains, wind, large hail and potential flooding are also expected beginning this afternoon.  This is a dangerous storm. Let’s break down potential issues to consider: 

Tornadoes 
A Tornado Watch means that conditions are favorable for a tornado and that tornadoes are possible. The National Weather Service is predicting that the greatest threat for tornadoes in Fairfax County will be between 7 and 10 p.m. 

Think of where you would normally be during that time –at home, in a restaurant or movie theater, outdoors, at work or in the car. You may only have a few seconds to react. Decide now where you would go if a tornado warning is issued.   

You may also be sleeping, too, so ensure you have some way to be notified of a potential tornado warning. Sign up for our Community Emergency Alert Network, listen to a weather radio, follow social media sites or watch local TV. 

Heavy Rain, Winds and Flooding 
This weather system could bring winds up to 50 mph and 1-2 inches of rain.  If there is any possibility of a flash flood, move immediately to higher ground. Do not wait for instructions to move. Do not drive in flooded roads – “turn around, don’t drown.” Also, it’s very important to keep your children inside and away from streams and creeks. 

If you live in a flood-prone area, identify where to go if ordered to evacuate and the safest route to get there. If there is a flood, you may only have minutes to get to safety. Choose several places – a friend’s home in another town, a motel or a shelter.  

Due to high winds, please secure all outdoor furniture, decorations, garbage cans and anything else that is not tied down. 

Power Outages 
Due to high winds, you may lose power. Plan ahead for life without power. Have an emergency kit ready with food to eat and other supplies. 

Avoid using lighted candles as they may cause a fire. Flashlights are safer when the power is out. 

In case you lose your power, here are the numbers to call to report the outage: 
• Dominion Virginia Power outages and downed wires: 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357), TTY 711  
• BGE outages: 877-778-2222; downed wires: 800-685-0123  
• NOVEC (Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative) outages and downed wires: 1-888-335-0500 or 703-335-0500, TTY 711  
• Pepco outages: 1-877-737-2662  

Emergency Phone Numbers 
Only call 9-1-1 for emergencies. 

UPDATE: 3:26 pm. No power outages reported in McLean.

Nearly 3,400 Dominion Power customers in Fairfax are without power including more than 1,000 in Oakton

To Report An Outage: 1-866-DOM-HELP (1-866-366-4357)

And let us know: bobbi.bowman@patch.com. We'll continue reporting until all power is restored.

Be careful.

UPDATE: 3:07 pm. Fairfax County just issued this alert:

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN STERLING VIRGINIA HAS ISSUED A 

* SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING FOR... 

CENTRAL FAIRFAX COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA...
 CITY OF FAIRFAX IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA... 
 CITY OF FALLS CHURCH IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA... 
 NORTHWESTERN ARLINGTON COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA... 
 EASTERN PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA... 

* UNTIL 330 PM EDT 

* AT 242 PM EDT...NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DOPPLER RADAR INDICATED A 
 SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING DAMAGING WINDS IN EXCESS 
 OF 60 MPH.  THIS STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR LAKE RIDGE...OR 6 MILES 
 NORTH OF DALE CITY...AND MOVING NORTHEAST AT 30 MPH. 

* LOCATIONS IMPACTED INCLUDE... 
 BURKE... 
 MERRIFIELD... 
 MANTUA... 
 FAIRFAX... 
 ANNANDALE... 
 MERRIFIELD... 
 THE I66 AND I495 INTERCHANGE... 
 VIENNA... 
 FALLS CHURCH... 
 PIMMIT HILLS... 

UPDATE 2:45 p.m.: The National Weather Service has issued a tornado watch for Fairfax County and across Northern Virginia until 9 p.m. There is now a tornado warning in Loudoun County and in Mongomery County, Md. until 2:45 p.m.

There thunder and heavy rain in McLean.

Winds are starting to pick up and scattered rain is developing across Northern Virginia ahead of the cold front that will bring strong thunderstorms to the area during rush hour.

Tips on driving safely in inclement weather are below, and also review tips on what to do in the event of a tornado.

ORIGINAL STORY: Keep a weather eye out tomorrow. Weather forecasters are saying Fairfax and the Washington area will receive a one-two storm punch with the possibility of severe thunderstorms around the evening rushhour.

“There may be a couple waves of storms affecting the region through midnight or so with heavy rain, gusty winds and dangerous lightning. Some storms may contain damaging winds and large hail with the outside chance of isolated tornadoes,” Capital Weather Gang’s Jason Samenow predicted Thursday.

Friday will start out cool and partly cloudy, with temperatures in the upper 60s around sunrise.  Temperatures will rise into the low 80s with an increasing threat of scattered thunderstorms throughout the day before the evening storms roll into the area.

While driving tomorrow evening, remember these tips for driving during severe weather from The Weather Channel:

  • Turn on your lights (low beams) and leave plenty of distance for braking.
  • If you do not feel safe driving or visibility gets too low, pull over and off the road to a safe location and wait for the rain to subside.
  • In a lightning storm, your car generally is a safer place to be than outside.
  • If the power is out at an intersection, treat it as a four-way stop.
  • Do not drive through large puddles – your car may stall or flood.

Friday is the first day of meteorological summer and the first day of the , which may be “near normal” according to some forecasters.

Temperatures will rise only into the 70s on Saturday as skies clear.

The Capital Weather Gang is predicting a slightly warmer-than-average June in the D.C. metro area despite a cool start.

Be safe out there.


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