Maryland weather: Heavy rain Tuesday may cause flooding; Howard, Harford, Anne Arundel schools to close early

Dan Belson, Tony Roberts, Baltimore Sun
Updated ·3 min read

High tides expected midweek could bring water onto streets in downtown Baltimore and flood waterfront areas in Bowleys Quarters and Annapolis, according to the National Weather Service.

A flood watch is in effect throughout the Baltimore metro area from Tuesday afternoon into Wednesday morning, warning that excessive rainfall could cause flooding. A coastal flood watch is also in effect for parts of Baltimore County and Anne Arundel County.

About 2 to 4 inches of rain could fall on downtown Baltimore after noon Tuesday, bringing tides up to 5 feet above normal and potentially causing flooded roads in downtown Baltimore and Annapolis as well as yards, roads and homes in the Bowleys Quarters area around 4 a.m. Wednesday.

Harford County Public Schools will close schools and offices three hours early, and Anne Arundel County Public Schools will close two hours early Tuesday.

Baltimore County Public Schools will cancel all after-school activities, athletic games and practices. The county’s school board meeting will take place virtually.

Howard County Public Schools will close three hours early, and after-school activities will be canceled.

Cecil County Public Schools will close at noon for secondary and 1 p.m. for elementary students. Preschool is canceled.

Baltimore City will be providing sandbags for residents and business owners on a first-come, first-served basis from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday at the following locations:

  • Fells Point – Intersection of Thames and Broadway

  • Frederick Avenue – Stillmeadow Church located at 5110 Frederick Ave.

Those picking up sandbags must show proof of residence or business ownership in Baltimore, such as a driver’s license, utility bill or business license. Users must fill and transport their sandbags.

Residents will also be able to park in city-owned garages in Fells Point, Harbor East and Little Italy. Parking is free at the Fleet & Eden Garage starting at 9 a.m. Tuesday and at Little Italy and Caroline Street garages starting at 4 p.m., but proof of residency is required.

Parking is on a first-come, first-serve basis, and vehicles parked in these garages must move from Baltimore-owned garages after the storm and no later than 8 a.m. Wednesday for the Little Italy and Caroline Street garages and noon for the Fleet and Eden Garage.

The time frame could be extended depending on the conditions.

The rain is forecast to be accompanied by steady winds reaching 20 to 25 mph Tuesday afternoon and gusts as high as 50 mph at night. A wind advisory is in effect from 3 p.m. Tuesday to 1 a.m. Wednesday, as the gusts could blow down tree limbs, causing a few power outages, and move unsecured objects.

The rain is expected to slow around 6 a.m. Wednesday, with conditions clearing up in the afternoon to a partly sunny day with winds of up to 23 mph and gusts as high as 37 mph. Thursday is forecast to be sunny, with a high close to 50 degrees.

Rain will likely return Friday mostly after 1 p.m. with temperatures reaching a high of around 55 degrees.