Maryland, 1997

Heavy Rain in Maryland, August 20, 1997

August 20, 1997 · NWS LWX · 8 events in 8 counties and zones

A soaking rain put a dent into the summer drought. The precipitation was caused by a low pressure area moving up the eastern seaboard.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 6 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$3,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
8

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS LWX wrote it up.

A soaking rain put a dent into the summer drought. The precipitation was caused by a low pressure area moving up the eastern seaboard. Rainfall across central and eastern Maryland ranged from 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 inches. A daily precipitation record was set a BWI; 2.75 inches of rain fell. Washington/National Airport (DCA) recorded over 2 inches as well.Two large sink holes opened up near Annapolis, a result of the combination of the heavy rain and recent sewer construction at a nearby neighborhood. High water blocked a couple of sections of Defense Highway outside of Annapolis. Several other roads in Anne Arundel Co reported high water, but were not closed.The rain and accompanying gusty winds caused scattered power outages, including 6,000 in the Potomac Electric Power Co. service area.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 heavy rain. Local standard time, as filed.

Heavy Rain, Montgomery

When
August 20, 6:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where
Montgomery forecast zone
Property damage
$3,000

Heavy Rain, Howard

When
August 20, 6:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where
Howard forecast zone

Heavy Rain, Southern Baltimore

When
August 20, 6:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where
Southern Baltimore forecast zone
Coordinates
39.367, -76.614 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Prince Georges

When
August 20, 6:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where
Prince Georges forecast zone
Coordinates
38.830, -76.847 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Anne Arundel

When
August 20, 6:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where
Anne Arundel forecast zone
Coordinates
38.994, -76.568 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Charles

When
August 20, 6:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where
Charles forecast zone
Coordinates
38.474, -77.013 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, St. Mary'S

When
August 20, 6:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where
St. Mary'S forecast zone
Coordinates
38.216, -76.529 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Calvert

When
August 20, 6:00 AM EST to 5:00 PM EST
Where
Calvert forecast zone
Coordinates
38.535, -76.531 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Maryland in 1997Every state in 1997This day in weather historyWarnings in Maryland, August 1997

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5615626, 5615627, 5615628, 5615629, 5615630, 5615631, 5615632, 5615633.