Jul 18, 2025 - Climate
Washington flash flood warnings hit 25-year high
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Extreme weather is pummeling Washington, prompting the most flash flood warnings in over two decades.
The big picture: The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued more warnings nationwide as of July than any other on record.
By the numbers: The Baltimore/Washington, D.C. NWS office has issued 109 flash flood warnings this year through yesterday — the most in that time frame since 1998.
- Five flash flood warnings have been issued in D.C. as of Wednesday, per NWS data.
- Warnings jump to 10 in Montgomery County, and 12 in Fairfax County.
Context: Climate change "is supercharging the water cycle," sparking heavier precipitation extremes and related flood risks, according to research group Climate Central.