Storms leave behind stunning skies after flooding Washington D.C.
Severe thunderstorms swept across Washington D.C. on July 9, 2025, flooding streets and toppling multiple trees. The storms moved out of the region by evening, leaving behind stunning skies that went viral on social media.
Flooding in Adams Morgan, Washington D.C. on July 9, 2025. Credit: Ami Greener
The storms entered the region at approximately 17:00 local time (LT) and continued until 20:00 LT on July 9, triggering flash floods. The Beltway area was the most affected, with floodwaters also impacting parts of Alexandria and the Washington D.C. area.
As the storms neared the Beltway, the National Weather Service issued flash flood warnings for Washington D.C. and nearby western areas. These warnings were later extended eastward.
Reagan National Airport recorded nearly 25.4 mm (1 inch) of rain within 20 minutes and a wind gust of 89 km/h (55 mph). Rainwater was reported to have seeped into one of the airport’s corridors.
TORNADO WARNING ISSUED FOR D.C. AND MARYLAND
— TRENDRADAR (@TrendRadar10) July 10, 2025
The National Weather Service has issued a tornado warning for Washington, D.C. and nearby Chillum, Maryland
Rain is imminent in the flash flood warning area in and near DC #Washington #DC pic.twitter.com/r1ys2SKGMz
River in Adams Morgan @capitalweather crazy! pic.twitter.com/cOxmyxXpFw
— Ami Greener (@yarokad) July 9, 2025
Rainfall totals across much of the region ranged from 25–38 mm (1–1.5 inches). Reagan National Airport measured 29.5 mm (1.16 inches) of rain on July 9. Some locations northeast of the Beltway, including parts of Howard and Anne Arundel counties, recorded more than 50.8 mm (2 inches).
Floodwaters were observed on roads in Northwest and Northeast Washington, as well as in Alexandria near the Braddock Metro Station. One vehicle was reported stranded in deep water at the bottom of Calvert Street in Northwest Washington.
Wow, getting news that there’s flooding in Washington DC. Earlier heard about floods in NC too.
— Bacon (@NoItsMyServe) July 10, 2025
All these floods popping up around the country is a false flag!
They want us to forget Epstein! pic.twitter.com/sS0tfWN868
The Great #Floods .. of biblical kind.
— Psychic Carla Baron (@Carla_Baron) July 10, 2025
North Carolina, Washington, D.C., New Mexico, Texas pic.twitter.com/f2iQbh2QFj
Around 18:40 LT, the National Weather Service identified a small area of atmospheric rotation in north central Washington D.C. This prompted a tornado warning extending through Takoma Park into northwest Prince George’s County near Chillum, Maryland. No tornadoes were observed.
Authorities received approximately 30 reports of downed trees in southeast Washington and the downtown area due to strong winds.
A video from Bowie, Maryland, showed a shelf cloud — a horizontal cloud formation commonly seen on the leading edge of thunderstorms — as the storms moved into the region.
Re-sharing: DRAMATIC SHELF CLOUD seen over Bowie, Md. Captured tonight by @CamFor44 , this stunning video shows the cloud rolling in ahead of strong storms. A shelf cloud is a low, horizontal cloud formation along the leading edge of a thunderstorm.
— Capital Weather Gang (@capitalweather) July 10, 2025
Watch it here pic.twitter.com/v2MRCAqc3Z
As the storms exited the region, lightning, and rainbows appeared during sunset. These visuals were widely shared on social media.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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