Metrobus operating normal service on all routes, Feb 16.
— Metrobus Info (@Metrobusinfo) February 16, 2016
The ice is starting to melt, and Metro says buses have resumed normal service today.
Though the transit agency previously estimated some of its lines would run on detours this morning, Metro reported that all buses were running normally as of 7:20 a.m. today.
Metro previously enacted its “severe snow plan” due to yesterday’s winter weather, and the agency suspended service at 10 p.m. last night.
Although patches of ice remain scattered across the area, the Capital Weather Gang says warmer temperatures and possibly heavy rainfall will thaw roads throughout the morning and afternoon.
But all that extra moisture could be too much of a good thing, according to the National Weather Service. The area is under a flood watch until 11 p.m.
Three People Injured in Car Crash Near Nationals Park — One man was critically injured and two others were hurt in a car crash about 4:30 p.m. Sunday on South Capitol Street near Nationals Park. The crash may have been the result of a police chase. [WTOP]
Hill East Renovation Company Offers 20-30 Garden Plots for Neighbors — Dila Construction is offering Hill East residents the chance to reserve garden plots outside the renovation company’s new showroom at 1200 Potomac Avenue SE. [Hill Rag]
Possible Snow Tonight Set to Usher In Winter’s Coldest Week — Overnight snow tonight could leave up to two inches of snow in the Capitol Hill area, bringing with it the coldest temperatures of the winter for the next week. [Washington Post]
Snow Expected to Start in Capitol Hill Area Between Noon and 2 p.m. — Storm models earlier this morning suggested that the coming blizzard could begin in the Capitol Hill area as early as noon-2 p.m. [Washington Post]
Capitol Hill Elementary School Teacher Found Not Guilty of Sexual Assault — Former Miner Elementary School special education teacher Leroy Damien Ware was acquitted on charges that he sexually assaulted a 9-year-old student at the Capitol Hill school in 2014. [Washington Post]
NoMa Among Fastest Growing Neighborhood in the District — The NoMa Business Improvement District released a report showing that the neighborhood is one of the fastest growing in the District and is on track to become the most densely populated. [Greater Greater Washington]
Taxi Fares to Increase by $15 for Duration of Storm — D.C. taxicabs will charge a “snow emergency fare” of $15 this weekend starting at 9:30 a.m. today. [WJLA]
Capitol Hill area residents should prepare for a lot of snow and powerful winds this weekend.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard watch for D.C. from Friday afternoon to Saturday night. The watch says that conditions are expected to be worst on Friday afternoon, with heavy snow and strong winds causing “potential life threatening conditions.”
The District government has also activated its “Cold Emergency Plan,” guaranteeing shelter for all homeless individuals. To request shelter transport for D.C. residents who are homeless and on the street, contact the shelter hotline at [email protected], 202-399-7093 or 1-800-535-7252.
Meteorologists are expecting between one and two feet of snow to fall in the District between Friday and Sunday, making this one of the largest snow storms ever in D.C.
This will also be the first snow storm since Mayor Muriel Bowser signed a law allowing the Department of Public Works to fine homeowners and business owners who do not remove snow and ice from paved sidewalks adjacent to their property. Fines are set at $25 for residential properties and $150 for commercial properties.
Homeowners who are 65-years-old or older and those with disabilities are exempt under the law and will not be fined.
Heavy rain is expected throughout the D.C. area tomorrow morning, which could snarl morning traffic tomorrow as rain reduces visibility for drivers.
The Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang forecasts half an inch to one inch of rain tomorrow morning, most of which will fall during rush hour. There are no flash flood watches for the area tomorrow, but the Capital Weather Gang says that heavy rain could cause significant puddles in roads and decrease visibility for drivers.
Most of the rain should be over by midday, according to the Capital Weather Gang.
The District is under a coastal flood advisory until noon today due to unusually high tides.
The National Weather Service warns that coastal areas in the District may experience minor flooding during high tide this morning as tides are about 1.5 feet higher than normal. An advisory is the least severe type of flood warning that the NWS issues, indicating a risk of minor “nuisance flooding” in low-lying waterfront areas.
According to the advisory, the risk for flooding will be highest during high tide around 10 a.m. this morning.
Unusually high tides called king tides are common along the East coast in the fall, according to the Washington Post’s Capital Weather Gang. Minor flooding associated with king tides is expected to become more common in the District as sea levels rise.
Whether Hurricane Joaquin makes landfall near the District or not, it’s going to be a very rainy weekend. District officials are warning about possible flooding and many of the weekend’s events have been postponed or moved indoors.
Here’s what you need to know to make the most of this wet weekend in the Capitol Hill area:
Weather
The District is under a flash flood watch through Saturday. City officials distributed sandbags to several flood-prone neighborhoods, but did not expect flooding to be a significant issue on Capitol Hill, Navy Yard or Southwest. City officials said they will post updated information on the effects of the rain online.
If Joaquin does hit the District, which meteorologists do not expect, there could be flooding along the river in Navy Yard and Southwest, according to a District government flooding map.
Events
Wunder Garten Oktoberfest
Wunder Garten at NoMA (150 M St. NE)
Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. – 12 a.m. (closes at 10 p.m. on Sunday)
Several days of free community events lead up to the pop-up’s ticketed, three-day Oktoberfest celebration on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The weekend festivities will feature festival games, including a beer stein competition and a dirndl relay race. Tickets for the weekend events are $10 per day and must be purchased in advance online.
DC VegFest
N and 1st streets SE
Saturday 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The free festival that was founded in 1997 is back and ready to educate D.C. residents about the benefits of a plant-based diet. The first 1,000 attendees will receive a tote bag with samples and coupons. The event features a beer garden, more than 130 vendors, live music and a children’s activity area.
Dead Man’s Run 5k and Kids Fun Run
Congressional Cemetery (1801 E St. SE)
Saturday 6 p.m.
Costumes are an unofficial requirement for this 5K race, now in its fifth year. The course, which is along the Anacostia River, is flat and fast. If a 5K is too far, the cemetery also is having a family-friendly 2K fun run, which will start shortly after the main event. All proceeds go toward the preservation of the cemetery.
Scream City
RFK Stadium (2400 East Capitol St)
Saturday 7 p.m.
The District’s largest haunted attraction is closed today due to weather, but promises to open Saturday night.
“Madam Satan” Screening
Hill Center at the Old Naval Hospital (921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE)
Time: 4 – 6 p.m.
The “Tough Dames in Satin Slips” returns to the center this weekend to kickoff the first of four screening of racy films from before 1934. New Yorker writer Margaret Talbot and film critic Nell Minow will host the program. The screening is expected to be standing room only. Online registration in advance is encouraged.
Metrorail
- Weekend track work continues this weekend for all lines except the Green Line.
- Metro riders going to the D.C. United game tonight should take Blue Line trains or buses because the Orange and Silver line trains will not stop at the Stadium-Armory station until 7:30 p.m.
- Red Line trains will run every 20 minutes.
- Orange, Blue, Silver, and Yellow line trains will run every 24 minutes.
Metrobus
- There are no scheduled bus line interruptions in the Capitol Hill area.
- The bus stop at H St and 3rd St NE, which serves the D8, X1 and X2 buses and is currently closed, will reopen Sunday.
Circulator
On Sunday, the Union Station-Navy Yard and Potomac Avenue-Skyland routes will switch to winter service hours, meaning this is the last weekend that either route will run.
Photo via Facebook/DC Veg Fest
Flash Flood Watch Issued for Friday, Saturday — The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch for Friday and Saturday in anticipation of 2 to 4 inches of rain. [Washington Post]
Enterprise Rent-A-Car Set to Open in Waterfront Station — Enterprise Rent-A-Car is planning to move into a retail space in Waterfront Station at 1100 4th St. SW. [SWTLQTC]
District Files to Seize Part of D.C. United Stadium Land — Mayor Muriel Bowser’s office filed for eminent domain to take over the final two acres of the future D.C. United stadium location on Buzzard Point after failing to reach a deal with the land’s owner. [Washington City Paper]
New App Created to Promote Barracks Row, Navy Yard Businesses — CSX, the railroad company that is replacing the Virginia Avenue Tunnel, released a neighborhood guide app intended to help workers and residents find local businesses. [The Hill Is Home]
Flash Flood Watch Issued for D.C. — The Capitol Hill area will be under a flash flood watch starting at 4 p.m. [Washington Post]
Capitol Hill Residents Unhappy Over Police Classification of Gunfire Incident — Locals at a community meeting on gunfire near Stanton Park over the weekend expressed frustration that police classified the incident as “destruction of property” and haven’t released a suspect description. No injuries were reported in the incident. [FOX 5]
Hank’s Oyster Bar Planned for Southwest — Chef and restaurateur Jamie Leeds said she plans to open a fourth Hank’s Oyster Bar at The Wharf. The location will be called Hank’s on the Water. [Washington City Paper]
Running Group on Capitol Hill Helps Homeless Find Hope — The D.C. chapter of Back on My Feet on Capitol Hill uses running to help people who are homeless and battling addiction recover and build a new life. [WTOP]
A line of strong storms is on its way through Capitol Hill.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm warning for the District until 2:45 p.m.
Winds in excess of 60 miles per hour are possible with the storm, according to the National Weather Service.
Photo via Wikimedia/U.S. Air Force
(Updated at 4:25 p.m.) A powerful storm toppled at least eight trees in the Capitol Hill area early this morning, closing streets.
According to Twitter and Hill Now reader reports, trees fell down near:
- A and 6th streets NE.
- F and 3rd streets NE.
- East Capitol and 3rd streets NE.
- East Capitol and 5th streets NE.
- C and 2nd streets SE.
- G and 4th streets SE.
- Massachusetts Avenue and 15th Street SE.
- Independence Avenue and 1st Street SW.
The trees blocked at least a few of the streets this morning. Some of the trees hit cars, too.
The storm, which came through D.C. about 1 a.m., brought “almost non-stop lightning and thunder, strong to damaging winds and torrential rain,” according to the Capital Weather Gang.
Did the storm knock down trees on your block in the Capitol Hill area? Send a horizontal photo with a location to [email protected].
Strong storms could hit the Capitol Hill area later today.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the District until 9 p.m.
The best chance for storms in D.C. is around 5 p.m., the Capital Weather Gang reported.
The storms could bring large hail and damaging winds, according to a D.C. government alert.
Photo via Wikimedia/U.S. Air Force
Flash Flood Watch — The District is under a flash flood watch from late tonight to late tomorrow night. The National Weather Services predicts the D.C. area will receive 1 to 3 inches of rain this weekend. [National Weather Service]
Alfresco Dining on H Street NE — Ocopa, a Peruvian restaurant on the H Street corridor, on Saturday is debuting a year-round patio, which will add 30 new seats and a bar to its existing space. The bar will serve Tiki and frozen pisco drinks, as well as ceviche. [Eater]
D.C. General’s ‘Master Dong’ — Dong Kim, also known as “Master Dong,” is bringing fresh fruit, as well as his gardening, meditation and martial arts expertise, to children at the D.C. General homeless shelter. [Washington Post]
When You Have to Go… — Metro union official James Madaras has revealed that many Metrobus drivers are forced to urinate while driving due to a lack of restroom access while at work. Metro denied the claim, saying, “Metrobus operators have access to restroom facilities on virtually every trip.” [DCist]
Photo via Twitter/CharlesAllenW6
Storms that could bring gusty winds and hail are headed toward the Capitol Hill area.
The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for the District until 11 p.m.
Thunderstorms will start to form over the D.C metropolitan area between 5 and 5:30 p.m., according to a D.C. government alert.
Photo via Twitter/SenateSergeantAtArms
Remnants of Tropical Storm Bill could leave the Capitol Hill area with more than three inches of rain this weekend.
The National Weather Service has issued a flash flood watch from Saturday evening to Sunday morning for the District.
“Showers and thunderstorms will increase in coverage from west to east late Saturday afternoon and continue into Sunday morning,” the National Weather Service said. “Some of the storms will contain torrential downpours which could lead to flash flooding.”
Photo via Wikimedia/U.S. Air Force
