Fairfax, Virginia – Severe weather conditions swept across the DMV area, causing significant disruption as thousands of residents found themselves without power on a tumultuous Saturday evening. Reports from Dominion Energy highlighted the extent of the power outages across Northern Virginia, with Loudoun County experiencing over 7,000 disruptions, Fauquier County suffering more than 6,000 outages, and Fairfax County reporting approximately 3,700 affected households. In addition, Alexandria saw around 400 customers lose electricity due to the storm.
The National Weather Service in Sterling, Virginia, responded to the escalating situation by issuing a severe thunderstorm warning across Northern Virginia, Washington D.C., and central Maryland. This warning forecasted potentially destructive wind gusts reaching up to 60 miles per hour, posing a risk of toppling trees and large branches which could further endanger public safety and property.
Amid these turbulent conditions, a flood watch was declared effective until 10 p.m., accompanied by a severe thunderstorm watch which remained in place until 9 p.m. The local meteorological conditions suggested an increased likelihood of flooding, particularly in low-lying areas.
The WUSA9 Weather Team issued critical advice to residents, urging them to keep electronic devices fully charged in preparation for extended power outages. They also stressed the importance of having a robust plan to seek shelter swiftly during the storms. Residents were strongly advised against attempting to drive on flooded roads, highlighting the dangers of fast-moving water: just 6 inches could knock an adult off their feet, 12 inches of water could float cars and small SUVs, while 18 inches could carry away most vehicles, emphasizing the perilous nature of the flooding.
