The remnants of Tropical Storm Debby moved into the DMV region Thursday evening, bringing heavy rain, flooding, and even a confirmed tornado near the Stafford-Fauquier line. The storm prompted weather watches and warnings across the region, leaving residents on edge.
Tornado Warnings and Watches
The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for all of Northern Virginia through 2 p.m. on Friday, August 9. The watch extended to dozens of Virginia counties, including Culpeper, Spotsylvania, Prince William, Fairfax, and Stafford, as a band of heavy rainfall continued to impact the region. Flood watches and coastal flood advisories were also in effect throughout the evening.
The storm's intensity led to a series of tornado warnings throughout the evening, starting around 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. The warnings targeted areas like Fredericksburg, Falmouth, Spotsylvania, Catlett, Middleburg, and western Loudoun, as the storm tore through.
Confirmed Tornado in Stafford County
At 8 p.m. Thursday, a tornado, confirmed by radar, downed several trees on Hartwood Road near Park Farm Lane, not far from Goldvein in Fauquier County. The weather service said there were no immediate reports of injuries. A ground survey was scheduled for the coming days to assess the damage further.
The storm downed trees and power lines across Spotsylvania, Stafford, Fauquier, and western Loudoun, leaving hundreds without power. Culpeper County schools, which began the school year on Wednesday, announced closure for Friday due to potential storm impacts. Stafford and Spotsylvania schools implemented two-hour delays for Friday.
Flood Warnings and Coastal Flood Advisories
A FLOOD WARNING remained in effect for the District until 1:30 p.m. Friday due to flooding caused by excessive rainfall. A FLOOD WATCH remained in effect until 8 p.m. for the D.C. metro area. Residents were urged to avoid high water on the roads and not attempt to drive through flooded areas. Water rescues had already occurred in Montgomery County, Maryland.
The First Alert Weather Team remained on FLOOD ALERT Friday due to ongoing flooding in parts of the D.C. metro area. Flood warnings and coastal flood advisories continued into Friday evening, with the potential for significant coastal flooding along the Chesapeake Bay, especially in and around Annapolis and portions of Anne Arundel County.
State of Emergency and Preparedness
In anticipation of Debby's arrival, Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin issued a state of emergency, while Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed a state of preparedness. Both leaders urged residents to prepare for the storm's potential impact, even if Debby didn't have a direct hit.
After the Storm: Sunny Skies and Lower Humidity
As the remnants of Debby move out of the region, residents can look forward to a return to pleasant weather with lower humidity levels. Mostly sunny skies and high temperatures in the 80s are expected for the weekend and the beginning of next week.
This is a developing story, check back for updates.
