Drain the Swamp: Streets, the White House, Even the Metro in Washington, D.C. Are Flooding

On Monday morning, heavy rains turned the metaphorical swamp into a literal swamp, as rains destroyed highways, leaked down into the Metro, and flooded parts of the White House. Journalists and locals shared the devastation of the monsoon for all to see on Twitter.

Canal Road across from the Potomac River just north of Georgetown flooded, stranding drivers who stood on their cars to avoid getting swept away.

Serious flooding situation on Canal Road near Fletchers Cove with numerous drivers stranded, so I’m swimming to safety #DCWX @WTOP pic.twitter.com/UNFOmZkltO

— Dave Dildine (@DildineWTOP) July 8, 2019

Washington, D.C., Fire and EMS escorted them to safety.

Those who were stranded are being safely escorted off of Canal Road by @dcfireems. Everyone else swam or walked to higher ground on their own. Water slowly receding now. Flash Flood Warnings are a big deal. #DCWX pic.twitter.com/ry80Ls1hfg

— Dave Dildine (@DildineWTOP) July 8, 2019

Commuters driving on I-66 seem to have gotten swept away by the current.

This is insane on I-66 @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/VIdTbgKwCh

— Andrea L (@lazolov3) July 8, 2019

The flooding extended to various parts of the capital city.

This is fine. pic.twitter.com/tLw5nJai49

— Brian Radzinsky (@b_radzinsky) July 8, 2019

Townhall’s Storm Paglia shared a video of the flooding by Arlington National Cemetery.

Talk about a grueling commute. Nearly all roads are flooding (thank God for my high-clearance Jeep) and even the parking garage here in Rosslyn is flooding from the storm drains (video of 110N near Arlington Natl Cemetary by @mVespa1 while I was driving) @capitalweather pic.twitter.com/Du0HSeNhyi

— Storm Paglia 🇺🇸 (@storm_paglia) July 8, 2019

Other scenes in the D.C. suburb of Arlington, Va., looked positively post-apocalyptic.

@capitalweather the flood scene at Spout Run/Lee Hwy in Arlington. Folks at left are abandoning their cars, while others continue to drive. Water rose rapidly. Police now blocking off the flooded area. pic.twitter.com/jP8ROoTIiw

— Roz (@rozsro) July 8, 2019

WAMU 88.5 shared more scenes from the Waverly Hills neighborhood in Arlington.

A view of the Waverly Hills neighborhood in Arlington, Virginia, during this flash flooding courtesy @tyronefoto. pic.twitter.com/pVPYaigdld

— WAMU 88.5 (@wamu885) July 8, 2019

The trolleys in Alexandria are stranded.

@laurynricketts @nbcwashington @melissamollet Flooding in King St Old Town near the Metro Station pic.twitter.com/5izS8gxBX1

— Dirty Dean Martini (@Pho_Que2) July 8, 2019

The bottom level of the Ballston parking lot is a river.

Scary exit from the parking garage under the Capitals Ice Rink / Ballston Commons Mall in Arlington. The bottom level is a River! ⁦@WTOP⁩ ⁦@WTOPtraffic⁩ ⁦@ABC7News⁩ pic.twitter.com/exleKNbpEw

— Wendy Marco (@WendyMarco924) July 8, 2019

If parking garages aren’t safe, neither is the Metro. Some stations had waterfalls.

https://twitter.com/NickNeville_/status/1148227103122493441

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Praises the Washington, D.C. Metro

This is the Capitol South Metro, frequented by staffers for the House of Representatives.

Just a casual waterfall in Capitol South metro station. #wmata @unsuckdcmetro pic.twitter.com/o8OPAkvbOV

— Jacob Fischler (@ItsFischy) July 8, 2019

At least the kind staff at the Pentagon Metro had the decency to put up a “Wet Floor” sign!

I’m advising commuters not to use the street elevator at Pentagon Metro this morning. #wmata pic.twitter.com/z8bNwAPcPG

— Nick Scalera (@nickscalera) July 8, 2019

Here’s the Metro in McPherson Square.

McPherson Square this morning @WTOP @fox5dc @unsuckdcmetro pic.twitter.com/Rrc004msgz

— Sara Jane (@the_sarajane) July 8, 2019

Unsuck DC Metro reported that the Metro is both flooding and on fire.

Metro is both flooding AND on fire.

Nice twofer guys.#wmata

— 𝚄𝚗𝚜𝚞𝚌𝚔 𝙳𝙲 𝙼𝚎𝚝𝚛𝚘 (@unsuckdcmetro) July 8, 2019

Oh look, a fountain!

Flash Flood Emergency for the Washington DC metro area this morning!

Permission By: June S. @WeatherBug – Download the app for free weather alerts and more! #Flood #Flooding #Flooded #FlashFlood pic.twitter.com/dNAsiq4r36

— Live Storm Chasers (@Livestormchaser) July 8, 2019