Skies expected to open for another downpour

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Heavy rainfall is expected to continue today in the already waterlogged metropolitan region, which likely will result in snarled commutes and high water in low areas.

"Into the first part of Thursday, it could get dicey," Dennis Feltgen, a meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Silver Spring, said yesterday.

"[Drivers] should anticipate delays and allow plenty of time to get to work, or even check to see if it's necessary to come in."

The Weather Service yesterday issued a flash-flood watch for the region through this morning, with 3 to 8 inches of rain anticipated.

"With the grounds as saturated as they are, even a half-inch in some places could cause flooding," Mr. Feltgen said.

Officials at theWeather Service are looking into whether a tornado touched down last night in Chaptico, Md., damaging farm buildings.

"We are fairly certain it was a tornado, but nobody saw it touch down," said Sgt. Philip Joseph, a spokesman for the St. Mary's County Sheriff's Department.

The Weather Service report said the possible twister appeared at 6:10 p.m. near Chaptico.

Mr. Feltgen said the Weather Service will look at the damage soon to determine whether to classify it as a tornado.

Three barns -- including one filled with hay -- and a machine shed on a family farm were seriously damaged, but no homes were hit.