Flash Flooding in Maryland, July 16, 2023

Name: Flash Flooding in Maryland, July 16, 2023
Start: 2023-07-16T12:53
End: 2023-07-16T16:30
Location: Maryland

July 16, 2023 · NWS AKQ · 6 events in 2 counties and zones

Scattered thunderstorms in advance of a frontal boundary produced heavy rain which caused flash flooding across portions of the Lower Maryland Eastern Shore.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it. 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 6

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 AKQ wrote it up.

Scattered thunderstorms in advance of a frontal boundary produced heavy rain which caused flash flooding across portions of the Lower Maryland Eastern Shore.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Wakefield, VA wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jul 16, 12:48 PM EST, 5 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jul 16, 12:48 PM EST, 5 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Jul 16, 8:36 AM EST, 4 hours 17 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
936 AM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023

MDZ021>025-VAZ064-075>078-082>086-090-095-097>100-511>525-171345-
Dorchester-Wicomico-Somerset-Inland Worcester-Maryland Beaches-
Caroline-Westmoreland-Richmond-Northumberland-Lancaster-Charles City-
New Kent-Gloucester-Middlesex-Mathews-James City-Norfolk/Portsmouth-
Chesapeake-Virginia Beach-Accomack-Northampton-Western Hanover-
Eastern Hanover-Western Chesterfield-
Eastern Chesterfield (Including Col. Heights)-
Western Henrico (Including the City of Richmond)-Eastern Henrico-
Western King William-Eastern King William-Western King and Queen-
Eastern King and Queen-Western Essex-Eastern Essex-York-Newport News-
Hampton/Poquoson-
936 AM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023

...FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 PM EDT THIS AFTERNOON...

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southeast Maryland, central
Virginia, east central Virginia, eastern Virginia, north central
Virginia and southeast Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Please listen to NOAA Weather Radio or go to weather.gov on the
Internet for more information about the following hazards.

   Flood Watch.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms today will bring the chance for
localized flash flooding. In addition, a strong wind gust or two
cannot be ruled out.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

NCZ012>017-030>032-102-VAZ048-060>062-065>069-079>081-087>089-092-
093-096-509-510-171345-
Northampton-Hertford-Gates-Pasquotank-Camden-Western Currituck-
Bertie-Chowan-Perquimans-Eastern Currituck-Fluvanna-Prince Edward-
Cumberland-Goochland-Mecklenburg-Lunenburg-Nottoway-Amelia-Powhatan-
Brunswick-Dinwiddie-Prince George-Greensville-Sussex-Surry-
Southampton-Isle of Wight-Suffolk-Western Louisa-Eastern Louisa-
936 AM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northeast North Carolina,
central Virginia, south central Virginia and southeast Virginia.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

Scattered showers and thunderstorms today will bring the chance for
localized flash flooding. In addition, a strong wind gust or two
cannot be ruled out.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday.

Hazardous weather is not expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation is not expected at this time.

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jul 16, 12:07 PM EST, 46 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
107 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1239 PM     Flash Flood      2 SW Potomac Beach      38.25N 77.03W
07/16/2023                   Westmoreland       VA   Dept of Highways

            Route 630 is closed due to standing water.

&&

MRD

Special weather statement, Jul 16, 12:19 PM EST, 34 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
119 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023

VAZ100-161800-
Northampton VA-
119 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of Northampton County
through 200 PM EDT...

At 119 PM EDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm 11
miles south of Cape Charles, moving northeast at 35 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and heavy rain.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Reduced visibility and minor flooding
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Cape Charles around 135 PM EDT.
  Cheriton and Bay View around 140 PM EDT.

Other locations impacted by this storm include Capeville, Birdsnest,
Kiptopeke State Park, Jamesville, Silver Beach, Eastville,
Machipongo, Wardtown, Franktown and Simpkins.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

Be prepared for rapid changes in weather and road conditions. Do not
drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.

&&

LAT...LON 3727 7575 3717 7577 3709 7587 3705 7597
      3705 7599 3708 7602 3713 7601 3727 7607
      3759 7595 3758 7592 3756 7594 3755 7583
      3753 7580 3750 7579 3747 7580 3751 7575
      3748 7574 3749 7574 3745 7562
TIME...MOT...LOC 1719Z 217DEG 32KT 3709 7601

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.00 IN
MAX WIND GUST...45 MPH

Butner

Local storm report, Jul 16, 12:25 PM EST, 28 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
125 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0122 PM     Flash Flood      3 WNW Richmond          37.49N 77.52W
07/16/2023                   Chesterfield       VA   911 Call Center

            Starview Lane at Amster Rd is closed due to
            high water.

&&

Butner

Local storm report, Jul 16, 12:27 PM EST, 26 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
127 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0125 PM     Flash Flood      5 NNW Beach             37.42N 77.64W
07/16/2023                   Chesterfield       VA   911 Call Center

            High water on the road at US-360 and
            Rittenhouse Drive.

&&

Butner

Local storm report, Jul 16, 12:28 PM EST, 25 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
128 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0126 PM     Flash Flood      4 S Midlothian          37.44N 77.64W
07/16/2023                   Chesterfield       VA   911 Call Center

            High water on the road along S Old Hundred
            Road.

&&

Butner

Local storm report, Jul 16, 12:29 PM EST, 24 minutes before

Preliminary Local Storm Report
National Weather Service Wakefield VA
129 PM EDT Sun Jul 16 2023

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0128 PM     Flash Flood      3 W Richmond            37.48N 77.52W
07/16/2023                   Chesterfield       VA   911 Call Center

            High water at the intersection of Goodes
            Bridge Rd and Elk Rd.

&&

Butner

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

6 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Flash Flood, Dorchester

When: July 16, 12:53 PM EST to 4:00 PM EST
Where: Dorchester County, 0.69 mi S of Galestown to 0.73 mi S of Galestown
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.560, -75.720

Galestown Newhart Mill Road was flooded.

Flash Flood, Dorchester

When: July 16, 1:04 PM EST to 4:00 PM EST
Where: Dorchester County, 2.27 mi WSW of Finchville to 1.62 mi WSW of Finchville
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.620, -75.810

Palmer Mill Road was flooded.

Flash Flood, Dorchester

When: July 16, 1:36 PM EST to 4:00 PM EST
Where: Dorchester County, 1.62 mi E of Hawkeye to 1.19 mi ENE of Hawkeye
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.570, -75.900

Street and road flooding was reported. Road was closed.

Flash Flood, Dorchester

When: July 16, 2:30 PM EST to 4:00 PM EST
Where: Dorchester County, Hawkeye to 1.06 mi S of Hawkeye
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Emergency Manager
Coordinates: 38.570, -75.930

High water was crossing over several state and county roads between East New Market and Linkwood. Storm total rainfall of 5.5 inches was reported.

Flash Flood, Worcester

When: July 16, 3:02 PM EST to 4:30 PM EST
Where: Worcester County, Bishop to 0.15 mi SSE of Bishop
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.430, -75.220

There were several reports of flooding and high water in Bishop.

Flash Flood, Worcester

When: July 16, 3:47 PM EST to 4:30 PM EST
Where: Worcester County, 2.79 mi ESE of Ocean Pines to 3.15 mi ESE of Ocean Pines
Cause: Heavy Rain
Reported by: Public
Coordinates: 38.390, -75.070

Various instances of street flooding were reported within the city of Ocean City. Water was up to one foot deep in spots.

What these are

Flash Flood: Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Maryland in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Maryland, July 2023

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1128603, 1128605, 1128608, 1128610, 1128613, 1128615.