After a series of explosions rocked the citys airport and subway in what appeared to be coordinated attack. Everyone was in panic. We have to run. Just because the situation was such yeah. Just everyone was scared. So everybody run. We felt a small blast of air and we heard some thudding in the distance. The metro immediately stopped. The lights turned off, the engine turned off and a message came over the intercom saying there had been a disturbance on the line. Officials raise the Terror Threat level, shut down all public transport in the belgian capital and advised locals to stay indoors after the blast. Belgiums federal prosecutor said one of the two explosions at the airport was likely caused by a suicide bomber and that all three blasts were acts of terrorism. The Prime Minister called today a dark moment for the country and World Leaders pledged solidarity with counterterrorism activity in brussels, a raid on friday captured europes most wanted man. Salah abdeslam in connection with the november paris attacks that killed 130 people. The terror group isis is claiming responsibility for todays explosion. Mark barger, nbc. Here in our area, metro has increased security after those attacks in brussels. Other Police Jurisdictions have stepped in to help. Riders also are being urged to do their part to keep things safe. Transportation reporter adam tuss continues our coverage from the Lenfant Metro station with more. We often hear about cooperation with local police forces. Today forces like alexandria and Prince Georges County helped patrol the metro system here. And as the rush hour continues tonight, riders thinking about yet another deadly terror attack. In the metro system today, thoughbo its always scary, anything terrorist is scary. It happens. It happens, thats the environment that a lot of riders have simply become accustomed to. Brussels, the latest example. I dont think that i could extrapolate what goes on there, here. Its just i believe they know what the risks are and theyre doing the best they can. Others say if someone wants to do something bad, theres only so much police can do. Its too much to cover, too much, you have to secure it in order for it to be safe quoteunquote. The attack in brussels shows, anyone can walk in at any given point and have what they have on them, unfortunately. Metro wands to remind riders, you can text anything suspicious to them. Text mimpb mtpd and Officials Say someone will respond quickly. Transit officers are working overtime. The police chief has been on the phone with other large u. S. Transit systems and says no credible threat anywhere in the country. Metro Transit Police say steppedup patrols will continue for some time and gradually during, theyll ramp back down. Adam tuss reporting, thank you. Thousands of people trying to get into and out of brussels are stranded tonight. The tracking website flight aware says nearly 450 flights going in and out of brussels were canceled today right after the attacks. That includes one flight from dulles that was set to leave at this hour. If youve been following us on twitter. Youve been seeing images of the obviously steppedup security at Dulles International airport, both inside and outside. Bureau reporter david culver joins us live with reaction from passengers. David . Hi there, doreen, weve been making our way through the airport all day. Whether its from up here, the departures level, downstairs at baggage claim or outside by the curb checkin. One thing for sure, police are ep making it known here at dulles. But one security expert i he spoke with, who focuses on aviation, says it will take more than police to keep our airports safe. Surveillance is everyones job. 28 years working as an Aviation Security consultant, this man believes those who travel will need to take a bigger role in observing other passengers. Its not just a job for security and Law Enforcement, its a job for all of us. That said, police are taking a lead on that at dulles airport. From curbside checkin, youll see not only marked police cruisers, but Armored Police trucks, inside, a militarylike presence. Police wearing tactical gear, thick vests, face masks, others walking in groups, holding rifles. Theres a steppedup number of Police Canine units, a variety of breeds, too. Theyre checking trash cans, passengers sr luggage and our own camera. Just to be safe. Experts say personal interactions with police and passengers, behavioral detection, can be crucial. Its a little tough to see it over the camera its one of the things we are training Security Officers at airports around the country now to do. Look at people, look them in the eye. After tweeting out images of this show of force, some of you seemed comforted. It makes me feel safer flying, another tweet, police should be doing this every single day. Adding security needs to be highly visible. We have to reinforce the security. No trust. We have to reinfours security. Our digital team interviewed another Aviation Security expert who gives his prediction to what you will soon see at airports across the u. S. Go to the nbc washington app and search airport security. Security has been heightened at the Belgian Embassy in northwest d. C. The flags there have been lowered to half staff. Secret Service Police cruisers have flanked the embassy all day. As family stopped by to get updates on their loved ones overseas and to pay tribute to the victims. We have family back in belgium. A lot of them actually. My grandfather was an immigrant during world war ii. Were keeping them in our thoughts and prayers. The head of Homeland Security stopped by the embassy today. Well have more on his reaction in a report coming up in our next half hour. President obama is calling for nations around the world to unite to defeat terrorism. Speaking from cuba, he pledged to help belgian authorities seek justice for those killed and wounded today. This is yet another reminder that the world must unite. We must be together. Regardless of nationality. Or race or faith. In fighting against the scourge of terrorism. We can and we will defeat those who the world. This Photo Provided by the white house shows president obama and National Security adviser susan rice getting an update on the situation while in havana. The president did not make any changes to his schedule in cuba because of the attacks. Those who want to be president are also reracketing to the terror attacks and talking about how they plan to keep the country safe. Chris lawrence here now with that part of our story. Chris . This isnt going to come as any surprise to you. Were hearing very different approaches from the frontrunners. Donald trump said he would tighten the border and expand interrogation techniques to prevent an attack from happening the in united states. Hillary clinton says any effort has to start right here at home. Our challenge is to have a united effort to defend our country to protect against terrorist attacks, to encourage everybody who sees or hears something suspicious to report it to Law Enforcement. To int bits and pieces of information, that can be helpful to us. 6. I will exclude the people coming in from syria, who dont have documentation, coming in from the migration line who interestingly have cell phones in many cases, you say how did they get the cell phones and where do they get their bills paid. I would exclude those people from coming in. Were getting reaction from democratic senator Bernie Sanders and republicans ted cruz and john kasich. You can read what they said about the attacks in brussels in the nbc washington app. Some tense moments for a local College Student studying in brussels, as he waited to hear from friends who were riding the metro during the bombing. Plus a look at how the terror attacks are having an impact on terrorism in washington. Or whether they are at all. We do that as our region is enjoying big crowds amid the budding Cherry Blossoms. A terror arrest in virginia, the feds reveal what thought was a lapse in local airport security. You mentioned the Cherry Blossoms, the weather looking perfect for those over the next couple of days. Were talking 70s. Kathleen matthews if we want to be heard, we need women in congress. It was the women who forced republicans to include Womens Health and contraceptive coverage in the Affordable Care act. In congress, ill fight for pay equity, family leave and tougher gun safety laws. And, as an environmentalist, ill work combat climate change. That when women are at the table, we get things done. Im Kathleen Mathews and i approve this message. Its about taking a stand. For too long, wall street banks had their way. They crashed our economy. But democrat Donna Edwards wont take their money because she stands up for us. As a single mom, she knows the challenges our families face. Shell be our voice. And fighting to keep dark money out of politics. Democrat Donna Edwards, marylands next senator. Breaking news at Howard University tonight. A students there are gathering right now, for what were told might be a sitin. Theyre protesting a lack of information about a series of rapes on the campus. There have been posts on social media about as many as six rapes on campus so far this school year. In a Statement Today, the University Says it has seen those posts, and is actively investigating the reports. Our Jackie Benson will have updates. Is very familiar with the subway line that was attacked. He talked about what it was like to know that he or his friends could have easily been among the victims. Pat lawson muse spoke to him earlier today and is here with his story, pat . Doreen, his name is max okabayashi, hes 20 years old, a junior at American University and hes spending this semester studying european politics and works as an intern in brussels, he spent most of today with one of his friends in an apartment not far from the metro station, rocked by one of the explosions this morning. He usually takes the same metro line to travel to and from his classes, he spoke to us via skype and described for me how close several of his friends came to being on the wrong train at the wrong time this morning. It was scary do find out some of my friends were close to the bombings. Several were on trains either just before or just after the bombs went off or later, they could have been hurt and fortunately, everybody is safe. Now okabayashi says two of his friends also live in brussels neighborhood close to where the metro bomb went off. Program administrators at American University have posted on their au abroad facebook page, all students are safe and accounted for and that the universitys thoughts are with them. Back to you, vance. This is the height of the Cherry Blossom tourist season here in washington. Visitors all over the mall and not too terribly worried about terrorism. Tom sherwood reports. The National Mall merry go round is geared up for the crowds, long lines formed at air and space, in part because of confusion the terror attacks in belgium were on the minds of tourists here. I feel this is a very safe place and especially the way that were all sticking together. I dont have any concerns whatsoever about the Nations Capital at the moment. At the Martin Luther king jr. Memorial, one illinois mother whose daughter is here for a college tour of howard did express a little worry. I was nervous this morning when i saw it on the news. We google, evacuation routes, trying to figure if the airports are going to be shut down. Whats the risks and the liabilities to be here today. Tourists are coming by the thousands, more will come as the Cherry Blossoms reach peak bloom. Were using the metro, talking about how that was a little concerning that there was a lot of crowds on the metro last night. But you did it anyway . Absolutely. You live your life. Yes. This is a fifth grade field trip this is a once in a lifetime thing to do. I dont have any concerns whatsoever about the Nations Capital at this moment. Tom sherwood, news4. The prayforbrussels is being used across social media now. Weve captured some of the tributes online to see more of them. We invite to you download the nbc washington app. A somber moment at Georgetown University as that Community Came together to pray for the people of brussels. The university used a weekly multifaith Prayer Service to remember the victims of the attacks. In a Statement Today georgetown says it grieves the senseless loss of life and violence, especially when used in the name neff religion. How todays terrorist bombings in brussels have brought people together here in washington. A heightened sense of security here in the Nations Capital. In the wake of those terror attack wells. H now its starting to feel a little more like spring around here. And the blossoms are starting to pop. Things are looking up, doug. Things are looking up in a very good way. Everybody wondering where the 70s are now. Now remember the average high for today is only 58 degrees. So technically today, its a little above average even though it felt a little cool, with a little bit of a breeze, the winds gusting out of the south, upwards of 1020 miles per hour. Bringing us up to 62 with the sunshine. Very nice afternoon across the region. It will be a nice evening, too. 63 leesburg. 49 in martinsburg. 55 cool spot along the water in annapolis. Most of Anne Arundel County around the 60degree mark. The radar, nothing to show you, no rain, no snow, youre not going to need the umbrella any time soon. At least not for the next one to two days. We do have some cloud cover moving our way. Of clouds overnight tonight and into tomorrow. A big storm back towards colorado. Theyre at 64 today. They have a blizzard warning for tomorrow. Not us. For us, its looking quite nice. First off, heres the tidal basin. We shot some video along the tidal basin. Of the Cherry Blossoms out and about. Near their peak. My producer said theyre at their fluffy white stage. Is that correct . Well thats the stage theyre at right now. You can see whats happening down there beautiful conditions, still puffy white, puffy white stage. Thats a technical term im told. Theyre expected to be at peak tomorrow and into thursday. Thats beautiful shots down there. Lets take that shot. Little different vantage point. Hourbyhour forecast. 50 degrees, a little bit cool to run along the water. 61 degrees around 11 00. By noon, its reallyo nice. So lunch outdoors is fantastic. 3 00 in the afternoon, around 70, nice and warm. And by 7 00, around 65 degrees. So a nice day on our wednesday. We get even warmer during the day on thursday. High temperatures around the region, mostly in the upper 60s through the north and west. Martinsburg around, winchester, gaithersburg, 73 around fredericksburg and 71 around la plata and annapolis, with the southwesterly flow should get into the mid 60s tomorrow. 70 down towards the pawtuxet river. Getting around town tomorrow, enjoy it. Maybe doing the bike share looking good, everybody in the green. Next couple of days, were into the 70s. The impact forecast will be on the low side for sure. Nice and mild feeling more like the month of may. 71 tomorrow. 75 on your thursday, mix of sun and clouds during the day. Then we get a cold front. The cold front moves through late thursday night into early friday morning. Should be out of with a high of 68 degrees. Falling temperatures, but not too bad. 60 on saturday. Saturday looking a little bit cooler. Many areas in the upper 50s. Well talk about that easter forecast, and whats ahead for early next week coming up at 6 45. Were just getting new video into the live desk. It shows a car fire causing problems in kensington. Chopper 4 was over the scene in maryland just moments ago as firefighters were working to put the fire out. This is happening on newport mill road near the intersection of connecticut avenue and university boulevard. They did put the fire out. But you may have some trouble driving around that area for a bit longer while they get it all cleaned up. Vance, doreen . Thank you, chris. Our coverage of the terror in brussels continues tonight. Still ahead, security has been stepped up as investigators go door to door looking for leads in todays attacks. A symbolic tribute here at home for the victims in belgium. Terror arrest in virginia. Why the suspect thought there was a vulnerability with one of ou hes begun forgetting words. Forgetting where he lives. But when the day comes when he forgets who i am, ill still know who he is. We didnt use words. We simply held each others hands. We still are. I lost my dad to alzheimers. Preventing alzheimers is within our grasp. Lets double the budget of nih and get it done. Im david trone and i approve this message. Tonight were hearing from an american who felt the shock wave of the first blast inside the Brussels Airport this morning. He tells us what he saw after the explosions. What i sa