More Severe Weather on the Way to Essex

(UPDATED 1:38 p.m.) Another batch of severe weather is heading to the Essex-Middle River area.

According to the National Weather Service, showers and thunderstorms are expected to hit the area between 2 and 4 p.m. with thunderstorms also a possibility after 4 p.m.

These storms could be severe with damaging winds and heavy rain. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. There is also a forecast of potentially a 1/2 and 3/4 of an inch of rain possible in the area.

Tonight, the NWS is forecasting a thunderstorm before 10 p.m., then a slight chance of showers between 10 p.m. and midnight. Winds could also gust as high as 43 mph tonight.

There is also a tornado watch in effect for Prince George’s, and southern Maryland until 4 p.m.

State Highway Administration officials are urging motorists to use extreme caution.  Drivers should never try to drive through high water, even with four-wheel drive vehicles.  Rushing water is extremely powerful, causing loss of control of a vehicle, putting drivers and passengers at risk for drowning.

Additionally, SHA warns, drivers must avoid downed wires and trees and stay alert for falling debris in the roadway. All loads should be secured, preventing debris from flying out of pickup trucks and other truck beds.  Log onto www.roads.maryland.gov and click "CHART" to view traffic cameras and current traffic conditions.

This latest batch of weather could also mean another long night for Baltimore Gas & Electric, which as of Sunday night had restored electric service to more than 93,000 customers since Friday afternoon’s windstorm.

Approximately 1,300 BGE, contract and out-of-state personnel worked around-the-clock to restore power during this time. This number included more than 300 linemen and support staff from New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.

 The utility expects the number of electric service interruptions to increase as this latest weather system strengthens and spreads this afternoon and into Tuesday. High wind gusts of up to 45 mph combined with the wet conditions and saturated ground could cause trees and tree limbs, already weakened by the recent and frequent wind, rain and snow, to fall onto power lines and other electric delivery equipment.

In areas sustaining significant tree-related damage, BGE warns, crews must first assess the damage and remove the tree debris before actual repairs to electric delivery equipment can be made. In addition, windy conditions could limit restoration work involving bucket trucks.

Stay with Patch for the latest details.