Maryland
Debby Heads To MD: Heavy Rain, Strong Wind Could Spark Flooding
MARYLAND — Tropical Storm Debby is expected to reach Maryland by Friday morning after it weakens to a tropical depression. Marylanders should still anticipate heavy rainfall, flash flooding and strong wind.
Sandbagging has begun in waterfront cities like Annapolis and Baltimore as residents brace for flooding, and the governor declared a state of preparedness to help public agencies gear up for a possible disaster response.
Debby is heading up the East Coast as it has made landfall for a second time. The National Hurricane Center says Debby came ashore early Thursday near Bulls Bay, South Carolina.
The storm is expected to keep moving inland, spreading heavy rain and possible flooding through the Mid-Atlantic up to the Northeast by the weekend. Debby first made landfall as a Category 1 hurricane early Monday on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
As Debby drenches South Carolina, heavy rainfall from the tropical storm is also expected to cause flooding across portions of the Mid-Atlantic states on Friday.
At least seven people have died due to the storm, five of them in traffic accidents or from fallen trees. The sixth death involved a 48-year-old man in Gulfport, whose body was recovered after his anchored sailboat partially sank. And the most recent victim died in a tornado spawned by the storm in North Carolina Thursday.
Debby was located over South Carolina Thursday morning with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. The system is forecast to be downgraded to a tropical depression Thursday afternoon or evening. It would then merge with a front and become extratropical on Friday, the National Hurricane Center said.
Maryland Debby Forecast
The National Hurricane Center called for 2 to 4 inches of rain in central Maryland. Western Maryland could see up to 6 inches. One to 2 inches are in store for southern Maryland and eastern Shore towns along the Chesapeake Bay. The Salisbury area may get less than an inch.
The rain should clear before Saturday morning.
Tides 2.5 to 3 feet above normal are forecasted in Annapolis, where high tides are at 9:03 p.m. Thursday and 8:48 a.m. Friday.
Anne Arundel County will be under a coastal flood advisory from 7 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. Thursday. Up to 6 inches of flooding are possible in low-lying areas during this period.
A more serious coastal flood watch will then take over, lasting from early Friday morning through late Friday night and bringing 1 to 2 feet of flooding.
“If travel is required, allow extra time as some roads may be closed,” the National Weather Service said. “Do not drive around barricades or through water of unknown depth. Take the necessary actions to protect flood-prone property.”
There were no flood warnings for other coastal areas like Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and Baltimore County’s Bowleys Quarters as of 10 a.m. Thursday.
Western Maryland has a 40% chance of flash flooding, giving it a moderate risk. Central Maryland has a slight risk of flash flooding with a 15% chance. The Eastern Shore’s 5% chance of flash floods gives it a marginal risk.
The winds will lose some energy before reaching Maryland. Still, gusts up to 36 mph are possible at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Throughout the state, the chance of sustained 39 mph winds is 5 to 10%.
Hurricanes have sustained winds over 74 mph. Tropical storms have winds of 39 to 74 mph. Tropical depression winds are 38 mph or lower.
“The combination of tropical-storm-force winds will have trees bobbing and tipping in the saturated soil, and a number may topple over that can lead to property damage and power outages,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said in a forecast discussion.
The winds could disrupt traffic on Maryland bridges. House trailers and empty box trailers would be prohibited from crossing if winds are sustained at 40 to 49 mph for 10 minutes or gusts persistently exceed 40 mph over 15 minutes. Drivers can follow the Maryland Transportation Authority on X, formerly known as Twitter, to see live bridge traffic updates.
Storm Preparations
Gov. Wes Moore issued the preparedness order Tuesday afternoon.
“The safety of Marylanders is our top priority,” Moore said in a statement. “By declaring a State of Preparedness, I am directing the Department of Emergency Management to coordinate the comprehensive preparation of State government ahead of potential impacts from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby.”
Moore continued, “Residents and visitors should monitor local weather forecasts, remain vigilant, and be prepared to follow safety instructions from local emergency officials.”
In the order, state officials encouraged Marylanders to prepare for Debby’s possible arrival by doing the following:
- Encourage your family and friends to finish preparedness activities now. Check on your neighbors — especially older adults or those who may need additional assistance — to make sure they have what they need. Have a plan to remain in contact during and after the storm.
- You may have to evacuate quickly due to a storm if you live in an evacuation zone. To learn if you live or work in an evacuation zone in Maryland, please visit this Know Your Zone page.
- Learn your evacuation routes, practice with your household and pets, and identify where you will stay.
- Follow instructions from local emergency managers, who work closely with state and local agencies and partners. They will provide the latest recommendations based on the threat to your community and appropriate safety measures.
- Keep your cell phone, tablet and laptop charged when you know a storm is in the forecast and purchase backup charging devices to power electronics.
- Have enough supplies for your household, including medication, disinfectant supplies and pet supplies in your evacuation bag or car trunk. You may not have access to these supplies for days or even weeks after a hurricane.
To receive alerts, tips and resources related to threats and hazards affecting Maryland, text MdReady to 211-631 or text MdListo for Spanish.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region.
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
(Courtesy Washington Nationals)
Courtesy Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals’ first-round draft pick Chris Hacopian inked his first professional contract Wednesday, a moment made sweeter by the fact it was just a 30-minute drive from home to get to Nationals Park and put pen to paper.
The 21-year-old second baseman and 11th overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft has deep ties to the D.C. region. He’s from Potomac, Maryland, and played his high school ball at Winston Churchill, where he was named the 2022 Maryland Gatorade Player of the Year and a 2022 Washington Post All-Met selection.
According to MLB.com, Hacopian grew up a Nationals fan, admiring the likes of Ian Desmond, Danny Espinosa and others. He also played his first two collegiate seasons at the University of Maryland, where his father Derek played before him, before transferring to Texas A&M for his junior season.
With the Aggies, Hacopian hit .319 with 11 home runs and 41 RBI across 42 games en route to being named First-Team All-Southeastern Conference and a Third-Team All-American by Baseball America, the Nationals said in a news release.
After inking his contract Wednesday, Hacopian donned his new jersey and ball cap and stepped onto D.C.’s beloved diamond as a part of the Nationals organization for the first time.
“That was so cool, oh my gosh. I’ve been in the stands like, 100 times, but being on the field is so different,” he said.
Hacopian was ranked 14th among MLB Draft prospects by MLB.com. The 6-foot-1-inch, 210-pound second baseman boasted one of the best bats in college baseball, according to MLB.com, with excellent control over the strike zone and feel for the barrel, along with solid pop.
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The state said the five recently traveled together to “a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak.”
Maryland health officials confirmed five more measles cases, all in Carroll County.
“These individuals recently traveled together to a location in the U.S. experiencing an active measles outbreak,” the state Department of Health said in a release.
The agency said others may have been exposed on the afternoon of July 13 in the emergency department waiting room at Carroll Hospital Center in Westminster.
Another measles case recently prompted warnings from health officials in Maryland, Virginia and the District. On June 17, a Maryland resident traveled through Dulles International Airport and visited a D.C. urgent care clinic.
Measles is highly contagious. It can spread through the air through coughs, breathing, and sneezes. Early symptoms can include fevers of over 101 degrees, coughs, runny noses, watery eyes and face or body rashes.
It can take up to 21 days after exposure for the first symptoms to appear, and those who are not fully vaccinated or otherwise immune to measles are especially vulnerable.
The five new measles cases in Maryland bring the state’s year-to-date total to nine. The state health department confirmed three cases in 2025, and one in each of the previous two years.
“All Marylanders should review potential exposure times, watch for symptoms, and confirm they are up to date on their measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccinations,” the health department said.
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© 2026 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.
Baltimore may be under an extreme heat alert, but residents can dream about autumn, as tickets are now on sale for the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show returning to the Maryland State Fairgrounds in October.
This three-day celebration of home and garden takes place from Friday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. Expect hundreds of exhibitors, local makers, home improvement experts, family-friendly experiences and celebrity guests. The show offers everyone the chance to explore the very latest in home improvement, landscaping, outdoor living and decor, the chance to take part in hands-on experiences, and do some holiday shopping all under one roof.
This year’s show will have more than 300 exhibitors, including more than 100 crafters from around Maryland in the Makers Market. There will be unique exhibits, stage presentations and a special appearance by Chase Morrill, Ashley Morrill-Eldridge and Ryan Eldridge from Magnolia Network’s hit series “Maine Cabin Masters.” The three will have two Main Stage appearances, one on Friday, Oct. 16 at 4 p.m. and the second on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 12 p.m.
“As temperatures start to drop and the holiday season comes into view, the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show is a place to gather ideas, meet local experts and get inspired before the busy season begins,” said Dave Paul, show manager, in a statement. “Whether attendees are planning a home project, looking for outdoor living ideas or getting a head start on holiday shopping, the show brings together resources and experiences for every kind of homeowner, maker and DIY enthusiast.”
In addition to the Makers Market and stars of “Maine Cabin Masters”, the Maryland Fall Home & Garden + Craft Show will have a petting zoo, a Kids Market where attendees can shop from local children, and much more.
Tickets are available online and at the door. Prices are as follows:
Online:
- Adults: $8
- Senior Citizens (60+): $6
- Children (ages 6-12): $4
- 4-Pack Online: $30 for four tickets, valid for one admission each and one day only
At the door:
- Adults: $10
- Senior Citizens (60+): $8
- Children (ages 6-12): $4
- Friday & Saturday: $4 after 4 p.m. at the door only
Special Offers:
- Active and retired military personnel, veterans, firefighters and police officers receive free admission all weekend, along with one guest, with valid ID at the box office.
- Attendees who show a CharmPass app, Light RailLink ticket or eligible transit pass at the box office receive free admission any day of the show. One admission is available per pass.
The Maryland State Fairgrounds is located at 2200 York Road in Lutherville-Timonium.
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