ANNAPOLIS, Md. – Rising tides along the Severn River are expected to push Annapolis into flooding conditions tonight, with water likely reaching business fronts near the city’s harbor. The National Weather Service has issued a Coastal Flood Warning for Annapolis, noting that moderate flooding could peak near 3.6 feet by late Tuesday evening.
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington office, easterly winds are driving tidal waters higher than normal, with Annapolis already nearing minor flood stage at 2.39 feet this afternoon. Moderate flooding begins at 3.3 feet, when water begins covering low-lying roadways and approaches waterfront businesses.
The warning extends through late Tuesday night, with Coastal Flood Advisories also in effect for other parts of Anne Arundel County and the western Chesapeake Bay. Drivers should avoid parking near the waterline, and residents are urged to secure boats, move vehicles to higher ground, and prepare for road closures around Dock Street and Compromise Street in downtown Annapolis.
Forecasters warn additional rounds of minor to moderate flooding could continue through the rest of the week as winds persist. Conditions will remain dependent on tidal cycles, with the next high-water threat coming late Wednesday.