A Flash Flood Emergency was issued for Silver Spring, Maryland, and nearby areas on July 19, 2025, as torrential rainfall overwhelmed the region, leading to life-threatening flooding. The National Weather Service (NWS) in Sterling, Virginia, reported the emergency for parts of Montgomery County, including Silver Spring, Bethesda, and White Oak, with the alert in effect until 9:00 PM EDT.
The heavy rainfall, driven by intense thunderstorms, dumped between 3 to 5 inches of rain across the affected areas, with an additional 1 to 2 inches expected in some locations within a short period. Doppler radar and automated rain gauges confirmed rainfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour, triggering widespread flash flooding. Reports from Silver Spring indicated severe impacts, including five feet of standing water at the intersection of East-West Highway and Washington Avenue, where a car and a fire truck were stranded.
The flooding affected small creeks, streams, urban areas, highways, streets, and underpasses, particularly in low-lying and poorly drained regions. Locations such as Aspen Hill, Fairland, Potomac, and McLean, Virginia, were also under Flash Flood Warnings earlier in the evening. Authorities urged residents to seek higher ground immediately, emphasizing the particularly dangerous situation. The NWS and local emergency management advised against driving through flooded roads, with the slogan “Turn Around, Don’t Drown” reiterated to prevent life-threatening incidents.
Montgomery County emergency services reported multiple water rescues and road closures, with officials warning that saturated soils from prior rainfall increased the risk of rapid flooding. A broader Flood Watch remained in effect for much of central Maryland, including portions of the District of Columbia, until midnight EDT, as additional showers and thunderstorms were expected to bring heavy rain. The combination of high moisture levels and slow-moving storms heightened the potential for further flooding across the region.
Residents were advised to stay informed through Alert Montgomery, the county’s emergency warning system, and to avoid travel where possible. For those needing to navigate, officials recommended using headlights, maintaining safe distances, and reporting flooded roads to the non-emergency line at 301-279-8000. The situation underscored the ongoing vulnerability of Montgomery County to flash flooding, a frequent and costly natural disaster in the region, where even moderate-risk areas can experience significant damage.