Politics & Government

Update: Flood Warnings Issued; Governor's Bridge Road Closed By High Water

Heavy rains have prompted Prince George's County officials to close Governor's Bridge Road and some area parks and parking lots because of high water.

Updated at 5:30 p.m.

In addition to the earlier closing of Governors Bridge Road, the Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation has closed Brock Bridge Road at the Prince George’s/Anne Arundel County line because of high water caused by the heavy rainfall.

County officials anticipate that Brock Bridge Road will reopen on Thursday after the rains end and safety evaluations have been done. Drivers should take alternate routes.

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The county has also posted high-water warning signs on Sunnyside Avenue at Indian Creek Bridge in Beltsville, Parkwood Street at Fairwood Road in Landover, and Contee Road at Mayfair Road in Laurel.

Our earlier story:

The Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation has closed Governors Bridge Road before the bridge due to high water.

Find out what's happening in Bowiewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Officials anticipate that Governors Bridge Road will be closed until late Friday or Saturday. Drivers should take an alternate route.

The National Weather Service has issued a Flash Flood Warning for southern Prince George's County until 6:45 p.m. Wednesday, and a flood warning is in place until 9 p.m. for the entire county. A flood warning means that flooding is imminent or has been reported.

Also in the county, the MARC-American Legion lot in Laurel is closed until further notice due to flooding, reports WUSA TV. Officials suggest using Muirkirk/Savage.

Officials with the City of Laurel on Tuesday evening closed the Riverfront Park Path and the commuter lot at Main Street was to close due to flooding potential.

Prince George's County is under a coastal flood advisory until noon Thursday, according to the National Weather Service. The advisory means that onshore winds and tides will combine to flood low-lying areas along the shore.

The area is also under a flash flood warning until 6 p.m. Wednesday, a flood warning until 7:30 p.m., and a flash flood watch until 6 a.m. Thursday.

The forecast calls for the area to receive up to 2 inches of rain today, with an inch of rain already recorded in the past 24 hours. Chances for rain drop to 20 percent on Thursday as skies begin to clear off.

After being closed for nearly 10 months for repairs, the bridge reopened in early March.

The bridge was closed in April 2013 after inspections deemed it unsafe. The Prince George's County Department of Public Works and Transportation worked to identify the scope of the problem, and then to send the repair contract through legal review.  

The cost of the repairs was split equally between Prince George's and Anne Arundel counties, since the two counties share ownership of the bridge.

Call 511 or visit www.md511.org  for current travel information.


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