Flash flooding and 60 mph winds threaten Maryland as severe storms roll through

Dangerous thunderstorms were moving across Maryland Thursday afternoon, with forecasters warning that torrential rain could trigger flash flooding while storms could produce wind gusts up to 60 mph and quarter-size hail.

The National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Harford, Howard, Montgomery, Prince George’s and Baltimore counties, along with Washington, D.C., through 11 p.m. Forecasters warned rainfall rates could reach 2 to 3 inches per hour, making areas along Interstate 95 and near rivers, streams and low-lying roads especially vulnerable to flash flooding. Severe thunderstorm warnings remain in effect until 10 p.m.

It’s the second flood watch the weather service issued this week.

The State Highway Administration urged drivers to be cautious on the road during storms and added that any traffic signals without power should be treated as four-way stops.

The Baltimore Orioles moved up the start time of their Thursday game against the Chicago Cubs to avoid the predicted storms. Originally scheduled for 6:35 p.m., the game started at 1:35 p.m.

The Baltimore area has seen powerful storms over the past few days, with power outages affecting more than 70,000 people. Temperatures reached triple digits over the Fourth of July weekend, forcing officials to cancel and postpone events across the state amid the extreme heat.