NWS Issues Flash Flood Watch for Friday

As Tropical Storm Andrea nears the Florida Coast, the National Weather Service warned Vienna residents Thursday to start preparing for the heavy rain and hazardous conditions expected between now and late Friday evening.

The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Fairfax County and the greater Washington, DC, area from Friday morning through Friday evening.

While some areas will see rainfall totals of up to 6 inches, most area will see between 2 and 4 inches, the NWS says, with the heaviest rainfall expected between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Rain in some areas will begin Thursday night.

Runoff from the rain may lead to flash floods around small streams or low-lying and coastal areas.

• Read: Tropical Storm Andrea Forms: First Named Storm of the 2013 Hurricane Season

The Capital Weather Gang's predictions Thursday afternoon place anywhere from 1 to 4 inches across the area through Saturday morning.

The Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department offers the following safety tips for navigating the roads in a storm:

• Never drive through a flooded roadway; the depth, current, and condition of the road are all unknowns and can be deadly.
• If you come to a flooded area while driving, stop and take an alternate route.
• If your vehicle stalls on a flooded road and water is rising, get out of car, call 911, and move to higher ground.
• Always stay away from floodwaters; even six inches of swiftly moving water can knock someone off their feet.
• Approximately two feet of swift water can move or float most vehicles, including SUV’s and pickup trucks.
• Never let children near flooded areas.
• When flooding is predicted, keep your vehicle parked in your garage or on the driveway away from low-lying areas and large drains.
• Be especially cautious during periods of limited visibility or nighttime when it is extremely difficult to see and judge conditions.

Useful resources:

• Sign up for the Vienna Alert system, which sends text messages and/or email updates that will provide weather alerts and other critical information: Vienna Community Alerts
• Follow developments on the town's Facebook or Twitter  pages
• Residents should also consult Fairfax County's hurricane preparedness tips and sign up for alerts from Fairfax County.

Andrea, the first named storm of the 2013 hurricane season, will bring severe weather to the area throughout the weekend.

The Capital Weather Gang says at the peak of the storm – Friday afternoon through Friday evening — some areas might see gusts between 20 and 30 miles per hour.