The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Food Watch for the area from midnight tonight through Thursday evening and warns that residents could see heavy winds, hail and even tornadoes in the next 24 hours.
"There is a risk for a significant severe weather event Thursday afternoon with the potential for widespread damaging winds as well as large hail and a few tornadoes," NWS said.
According to experts, showers and thunderstorms will likely move across the region tonight producing heavy downpours, with rainfall amounts of over an inch possible later tonight. Another round of storms could bring heavy rain on Thursday with an additional 1-2 inches.
"With the ground already saturated from heavy rainfall during the past week, only an inch of rainfall in an hour could produce flash flooding of streams and low-lying areas," they said.
As a precaution, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative is actively monitoring weather forecasts to prepare for possible power outages.
“We’re following forecasts and preparing for the worst,” said Dan Swingle, manager of NOVEC’s System Operations Center. “Right now, the ground is soaked after days of pouring rain. Trees could fall and cause outages if we receive strong winds.”
Swingle said tree and power line crews are on standby.
"Crew members are fueling their trucks and chainsaws," he said. "Warehouse personnel are making sure equipment and materials, such as replacement utility poles, are ready for pickup."
Patriot High School, whose graduation ceremony is scheduled for Thursday evening, has announced alternate scenarios if the weather becomes too severe.
"Despite our long-held plans to celebrate their Patriot graduation on Thursday, in our stadium, the weather might demand other arrangements. We have crafted a “Plan B” and are even formulating a “Plan C” to cope with whatever the weather will bring," Principal Michael E. Bishop said in a release. (Click here for details of the contingency plan.)
In an attempt to avoid the storm, Bishop's "Plan B" is to move the start time for the ceremony to 7:30 p.m. from 6:30 p.m. The school will also announce, by 10 a.m. Thursday morning, whether the ceremony will be held indoors or in the stadium .
"This information will be posted on our web page as well as sent out electronically via Blackboard Connect," Bishop said.
In the event that dangerous weather persists after 6 p.m., the administration will move the ceremony to Friday, June 14.
Stay tuned to Bristow Beat for the latest weather information and updates.
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