Washington
Washington state officials warn of toilet rats after floods: ‘Try to stay calm’
Residents in Washington state have been told to be aware of unwanted festive visitors before Santa comes down the chimney – rats coming up from the toilet.
Health officials in Washington warned that recent flooding in the state “may sweep rodents into the sewer systems”. In a Facebook post, the Seattle and King county public health department wrote: “If a rat visits your toilet, take a deep breath and follow these tips,” before outlining the steps to take if a rodent emerges from your commode.
Unsurprisingly, the first tip provided is: “Try to stay calm. That might not be easy under the circumstances.” The Facebook post advises people to flush the rat down the toilet or squeeze washing up liquid into the toilet to grease the reviled furry mammal’s path back into the sewer.
If the rat is too large to be vanquished this way, the health officials say, residents should close the toilet lid and call a pest control company. Presumably, using other places of convenience would be advisable if caught short in the meantime.
Rats are surprisingly strong swimmers and can hold their breath for several minutes, meaning that, along with their tenacity and ability to squeeze into small spaces, they can easily enter someone’s home via the toilet.
Such a scenario, a nightmare for people with musophobia, is more common in older buildings with dilapidated pipes following heavy rainfall.
Washington state has been dealing with some of its worst ever flooding this month, with several days of torrential rain causing thousands of people to be evacuated as floodwater inundated homes, washed away roads and triggered landslides.
4 things to know about the weather:
- Slightly cooler Friday
- Scattered showers & maybe a storm Friday
- Best weather arrives Saturday
- Storm chances increase Sunday
We’re tracking rain chances Friday and Sunday, making Saturday the pick of the weekend.
Clouds increase across Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia, and suburban Maryland on Friday. Afternoon temperatures will top out in the mid- to upper 80s with noticeable humidity.
There’s a chance for some showers and thunderstorms Friday afternoon. Any storm may briefly produce heavy rain, lightning and localized downpours.
The best weather of the weekend arrives Saturday, with plenty of sunshine, seasonable temperatures and mainly dry conditions across the D.C. metro region. It will remain a bit humid.
On Sunday, expect a higher likelihood of showers and thunderstorms, especially during the afternoon and evening hours. Some storms could become strong and severe.
Weather radar
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
QuickCast
Friday
Partly to mostly cloudy and slightly cooler
Mostly clouds through the day
Scattered showers and thunderstorms possible during the afternoon
Any storm may bring brief heavy rain and lightning
Wind: Northeast 5 to 10 mph
High temps: 85°-88°
Friday night
Mostly cloudy and mild
A few lingering showers possible early evening
Quieter conditions overnight
Lows: 69°-72°
Saturday
Comfortable summer conditions
Mostly sunny with passing clouds
Still a bit humid but not real muggy for mid-August
Excellent weather for outdoor activities
Wind: Northeast 5 to 10 mph
Highs: 87°-89°
Saturday night
Partly cloudy and pleasant
Increasing clouds late
Small chance of showers toward daybreak
Lows: 70°-72°
Sunday
Warmer and more humid
Mostly cloudy at times
Showers and severe thunderstorms become likely during the afternoon
Potential for locally heavy rain and gusty winds
Wind: Southeast to South 5 to 10 mph
Highs: 87°-89°
Sunday night
Mostly cloudy and muggy
Showers and thunderstorms likely during the evening
Gradually diminishing overnight
Lows: 74°-76°
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
Washington
Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli’s no-hit bid ends after 6 2/3 innings against Cubs – WTOP News
Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli throws during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Chicago Cubs, Thursday, Aug.…
WASHINGTON (AP) — Washington Nationals pitcher Cade Cavalli’s no-hit bid against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday was broken up after 6 2/3 innings on Michael Busch’s bloop single to left.
Busch poked a 1-2 fastball the opposite way, and it landed in front of left fielder Daylen Lile. The crowd at Nationals Park then applauded before Cavalli got Alex Bregman to fly out to end the inning.
Busch’s single was only the Cubs’ fifth ball in play outside the infield.
Cavalli was perfect before Dansby Swanson led off the sixth with a walk. He was erased a batter later on Michael Conforto’s double-play grounder.
Cavalli, a 27-year-old right-hander in his first full season in the majors, has struck out eight. His seven innings matches a career high.
Washington leads 6-0. Abimelec Ortiz hit a three-run homer as part of a five-run fifth inning.
Max Scherzer is the last National to throw a no-hitter, doing so on Oct. 3, 2015 against the New York Mets. The Nationals have recorded two other no-hitters since moving to Washington. Jordan Zimmermann threw one on the last day of the 2014 regular season against Miami, and Scherzer did it against Pittsburgh in 2015.
There has been only one no-hitter in the majors this season, a combined effort by Houston’s Tatsuya Imai, Steven Okert and Alimber Santa against Texas on May 25.
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Copyright
© 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, written or redistributed.
4 things to know about the weather:
- Warm and summer-like Thursday
- Limited storm risk through Friday
- Slight cooldown Friday
- Pleasant start to the weekend
Expect sun to mix with some clouds across D.C. and the surrounding Maryland and Northern Virginia suburbs Thursday. Afternoon temperatures will climb into the lower 90s with moderate humidity.
Most neighborhoods stay dry Thursday, but showers and/or thunderstorms will develop Friday. Any storm could briefly produce heavy rain and lightning.
Temperatures ease back into the mid- and upper 80s Friday as clouds increase. Humidity remains noticeable.
Saturday looks to be the pick of the next few days with a mix of sun and clouds, nice temperatures, and only a very low risk of a shower.
Weather radar
Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.
QuickCast
Thursday
Mostly sunny, warm, and somewhat humid
Pleasant start with sunshine dominating
A few fair-weather clouds during the afternoon
Dry for most of the region
Wind: Northwest 5 to 10 mph
High Temperature: 89°-92°
Thursday night
Partly cloudy and mild
Comfortable overnight conditions
Patchy clouds late
Low Temperature: 71°-75°
Friday
Partly sunny and slightly cooler
Showers and/or thunderstorms possible
Any storm may bring brief downpours
Wind: North to Northeast 5 to 10 mph
High Temperature: 85°-88°
Friday night
Mostly cloudy and mild
Chance of a few lingering showers early
Turning quieter overnight
Low Temperature: 69°-72°
Saturday
Comfortable summer conditions
Mix of sunshine and passing clouds
Very low chance of an afternoon shower
Great day for outdoor activities
Wind: North 5 to 10 mph
High Temperature: 86°-89°
Saturday night
Partly cloudy and pleasant
Humidity remains manageable
Quiet weather continues
Low Temperature: 69°-72°
Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.
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