May 2025 Mid-Atlantic United States flood

From May 13 to May 18, 2025, significant flooding affected parts of the Mid-Atlantic region of the eastern United States. A slow-moving weather system began in the southeast and moved north, causing flash flooding from western North Carolina and the Piedmont region of central Virginia to south-central Pennsylvania.^[1][2] Flooding occurred primarily in communities along the Potomac River and its tributaries, beginning on May 13.^[2]

A slow-moving atmospheric river began in the Southeast United States, resulting in up to a foot of rain in some areas of the Southeast.^[3] The atmospheric river was trapped in the Southeast for days due to a high pressure system in the north.^[3] The weather system began moving north, toward western North Carolina and Virginia.^[3] Much of the Mid-Atlantic was experiencing a drought, and when drought conditions combined with the heavy rainfall and thunderstorms from the atmospheric river it resulted in flash flooding throughout the region.^[3] The storm eventually moved to the Midwestern United States.^[3]

Flooding began occurring in Washington, D.C., on May 15 due to rising levels of the Potomac River and high tides.^[2] A coastal flood warning was in place along the Potomac shoreline, with 2–3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) of flooding expected in areas along the river, including the Georgetown neighborhood.^[2] Flooding submerged the boardwalk in Washington Harbour and Wisconsin Avenue was in the minor flood stage.^[2]

Little Falls, a rapids located at the borders of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia, was also in a minor flood stage on May 15, with 10 ft (3.0 m) of flooding.^[2]

On May 13, the majority of flooding in Maryland occurred in Allegany County, in the Georges Creek Valley region.^[1] Georges Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River, rose more than 7 ft (2.1 m) in six hours, reaching a moderate flood level at 12.12 ft (3.69 m) by 5 p.m.^[1] The record flood level for the area occurred in 1996, when the creek reached a flood level of 12.77 ft (3.89 m).^[1] A flash flood warning was issued for Westernport and Barton on May 13.^[1] During the flooding, a flash flood emergency was issued as well.^[4] In Westernport, a town that is prone to flooding, an elementary school was flooded.^[1] Fifteen rescue boats were used to evacuate approximately 150 students and 50 staff members from the school.^[1] Children from the school reported that the floodwaters had nearly reached the first floor ceiling by the time they were evacuated.^[1] News coverage showed several cars floating in the school parking lot.^[1] No injuries were reported from the elementary school, and no other schools in the area were impacted.^[1] There were additional reports of individuals trapped in cars and homes.^[1] A flash flood warning was also issued for Grantsville, Maryland, as moderate rain showers headed north, with some areas receiving three to four inches of rain.^[1] Streets in Cumberland were flooded, with vehicles floating in water at about knee-depth.^[1]

On Thursday, May 15, in Point of Rocks, the Potomac's levels reached a major flood stage at 21.5 ft (6.6 m) by 4:45 a.m., beginning to submerge comfort stations and threaten parking areas at boat ramps.^[2] Water levels in Point of Rocks had not reached this level since 1910.^[2] In Poolesville, Maryland, floodwaters reached 19.1 ft (5.8 m) at the Edwards Ferry boat ramp on Thursday morning.^[2] Flood warnings remained in effect for many locations along the Potomac, including Hancock due to additional forecasted rainfall.^[2]

On May 14, several locations in New Jersey received over 3 in (76 mm) of rain.^[5] Additional rain fell on May 15 across the state, and a tornado was even recorded.^[6]

Parts of western North Carolina, including areas recently damaged by Hurricane Helene, were placed under a flood watch.^[3][7] Boone received more than five inches of rain in some areas.^[8] Flooded roadways were reported in Boone, Cabarrus County, Valle Crucis, Seven Devils, Foscoe, and Burke County.^[8] The flooding was primarily due to rising flood levels for the North and South Fork New River, the Watauga River, and Wilson Creek.^[8]

Heavy rainfaill in south-Central Pennsylvania resulted in rising water levels for Conodoguinet Creek, a tributary of the Susquehanna River.^[9] By 5:30 a.m. on May 15, the water stage was just below flood stage at 7.9 ft (2.4 m).^[9] In Somerset County, some streets were flooded.^[1] Flash flood warnings were initially issued for northeastern Adams County, south-central Cumberland County, and west-central York County, but were canceled later in the day.^[9] On May 16, police and firefighters in West Chester, performed five water rescues of individuals trapped in cars dure to flooding.^[10]

On May 13, the National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning for Augusta, Nelson, and Albemarle counties at 4:26 p.m. that was to remain in effect until 10:30 p.m., with the county receiving between 4–6 in (100–150 mm) of rain from the night of Monday, May 12 through the night of Tuesday, May 13.^[1][11] On Tuesday afternoon, levels for the Mechums River began to rise at a rate of one foot per hour, reaching five feet above flood stage by midnight.^[1] At approximately 5:30 p.m. on May 13, less than an hour after the flash flood warning was issued, a 12-year-old boy named Jordan Sims was swept away by floodwaters after a nearby creek in Albemarle County overtook the roadway he walked on.^[1] After receiving a 9-1-1 call, search and rescue teams searched for approximately three hours before pausing the search due to visibility concerns.^[12] Flood waters receded considerably overnight, and rescuers resumed their search in the morning, and recovering Sims's body at approximately 8:45 a.m. on May 14.^[1]

On May 15, a flood warning was issued for Fauquier and Prince William counties due to small stream flooding near Cedar Run.^[2] Floodwaters impacted roads throughout the area, including Route 806.^[2] Flood warnings were also issued for Fairfax County, Montgomery County, and Loudoun County until at least the morning of May 17.^[2] As of May 15, the water already on the ground was creating dangerous conditions in the areas.^[2]

The Hampton Roads region received a severe thunderstorm watch, but did not experience significant flooding.^[11]

On May 13 Keyser and Piedmont, West Virginia, were issued flash flood warnings in the early evening.^[1] Heavy rainfall caused flash flooding in Keyser and other areas of Mineral County by late that night, with Governor Patrick Morrisey declaring a state of emergency for the county.^[13] Parts of West Virginia Route 46 were covered with rocks and debris, and other roads in the area were damaged.^[13] Basements of some residential buildings were flooded, though the majority of the damage was to roads, a school, and the local Walmart.^[13] Only one person had to be rescued on the 13th, and there were no reported injuries.^[13]

On May 15, flood warnings remained in effect for many locations along the Potomac due to additional forecasted rainfall, including Shepherdstown and Harpers Ferry.^[2]

• Floods in the United States
• 2006 Mid-Atlantic United States flood