The 2001 tornado that hit D.C. Image courtesy of NOAA.

The District and its surrounding areas are advised to be on the lookout for tornados until at least 7 p.m. tonight, according to a severe weather alert issued by the National Weather Service. With overcast conditions and high winds already in effect and with potentially flood-causing rain en route, today is shaping up to be a day full of unpleasant weather.

A flash flood watch is also in effect, as the rain storm expected to arrive at 1 p.m. could pour down at a rate of one to two inches per hour, creating more soggy and nightmarish conditions for low-lying areas like Bloomingdale.

D.C. last fell under a tornado watch on June 1, when the region braced for deadly funnel clouds. Ultimately, 11 twisters were spotted during that storm, though none in the District. Maryland experienced nine tornados, which damaged trees, cars and roofs; one that touched down in Bel Air caused about $1 million in damage.

The last tornado to ever strike within District boundaries came in 2001, in a minor storm that caused minimal damage. That same year, however, a tornado swept through College Park and the University of Maryland, killing two.

One of the biggest twisters to hit D.C. came in 1927, when 372 buildings were destroyed and one person was killed by a tornado that barreled across Capitol Hill.