Around 11 million Americans are under flood alerts Saturday evening as a "ring of fire" weather pattern continues to impact the eastern two-thirds of the country through the weekend. A flash flood emergency was issued near the Washington, D.C., area, including suburban Maryland, such as Chevy Chase and Silver Spring until 9 p.m. ET.

Storms outside the higher-risk zones caused problems in central Maryland with Flash Flood Warnings and a Flash Flood Emergency being issued outside Washington, D.C. Areas such as Bethesda, Takoma Park,

Early on Thursday morning the National Weather Service's Lake Charles office announced that it would be expanding the flash flood warning that previously went as far west as Vermillion Parish to include Calcasieu, Cameron, Allen, Jefferson Davis and Beauregard parishes. The watch is in effect from 7 a.m. on Thursday to 7 p.m. on Saturday.

“The biggest thing is making sure you have a plan ahead of time when it’s not raining,” he said. “I highly recommend weather.gov/safety/flood. That will walk you through flood preparedness tips and what to do before, during, and after an event.”

NWS says Flash Flood Warnings were issued on July 3 and early July 4 in Central Texas, giving more than three hours of warning.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Kate Abshire says Flash Flood Alley contains several flooding characteristics to create the perfect storm.

Showers and thunderstorms are forecast each day this weekend, starting July 18, as areas of thunderstorms and heavy rain move across the country. A heat wave is also expected. According to the National Weather Service in Wilmington, there is a heightened flooding threat for portions of the Ohio Valley.

"Life-threatening flash flooding" is ongoing in Kerr and Gillespie Counties -- including the areas of Kerrville, Comfort, Ingram, Hunt, Mountain Home, Waltonia, Harper, Kerrville-Schreiner Park and Cypress Creek -- according to the National Weather Service.