Photo by heather.dyan

Well, this is certainly getting worse.

While D.C. officials said yesterday that they didn’t expect the Potomac River to top its banks, a new National Weather Service bulletin warns that both Rock Creek and the Potomac might just do that:

MAJOR RIVER FLOODING IS LIKELY TO OCCUR…STARTING THIS AFTERNOON ON SMALLER WATERSHEDS WHICH WILL LEAD TO FLOODING ON THE MAIN-STEM RIVERS SUCH AS THE POTOMAC AND THE SHENANDOAH…THE POTOMAC RIVER IS LIKELY TO GO INTO FLOOD STAGE BEGINNING AROUND WEDNESDAY AND LASTING THROUGH FRIDAY.

The bulletin also ups the potential rain amounts and wind speeds we’re expected to experience: up to 10 inches of rain could fall, and wind gusts of up to 80 mph could sweep across the city. Generally, though, sustained winds of between 30 and 50 mph are expected. “Coupled with heavy rains from Sandy…the high winds will result in significant tree damage and power line damage,” warns the bulletin.