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Storms leave behind stunning skies after flooding Washington D.C.

ByRishav Kothari

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

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.

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.

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.

As the storms exited the region, lightning, and rainbows appeared during sunset. These visuals were widely shared on social media.

https://twitter.com/kseniadombo/status/1943116177217032628
https://twitter.com/JustinWeather/status/1943113106827215237

Rishav Kothari is Editor-in-Chief of The Watchers, where he runs the newsroom and covers earthquakes, volcanoes, severe weather and space weather.

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