Strong storms pull down power lines, flood roads in DC area; warnings remain
The return of summer weather has also brought tornado warnings and heavy rain to the area for Thursday afternoon. That means downed power lines, and thousands of power outages, especially in the Arlington area, and at least a few swamped vehicles in the region.
As of about 4:50 p.m., the storm is centered on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, around the Bay Bridge, through Annapolis and through the rest of Anne Arundel County, into northern Calvert County and St. Mary’s County, in the Route 301 area, said Storm Team 4 meteorologist Matt Ritter. The Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are in effect in those areas until 5 p.m. and the storms are producing wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph, torrential rains and large hail.
Washington, D.C.; Arlington, Virginia, and Hyattsville, Maryland, were under a Tornado Warning for a time. At 3:46 p.m., the National Weather Service said a severe thunderstorm capable of starting a tornado was located “over the U.S. Capitol, or over Nationals Park.”
Severe Thunderstorm Watches will continue in many areas until 8 p.m., while they’ve been lifted west of I-95, Ritter said. There might be a few showers and even thunderstorms, but “There’s going to be no more severe weather if you’ve already had it,” Ritter said.
Downed lines and debris in the roads are combining to play havoc on the roads; keep an eye on WTOP’s Traffic page.
Pete Piringer, of the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service, said via Twitter that wires are down throughout the county, and that at least one road has been closed due to downed power lines, and that at least one person has already been rescued from a car that was stuck in high water on the Rockville Pike near the Beltway.
The watch means conditions are favorable for the development of severe thunderstorms, which are defined as storms that create hail larger than an inch in diameter and/or winds of 58 mph or more. A warning means that a severe thunderstorm has been spotted.
Warnings
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Waldorf MD, Clinton MD, Fort Washington MD until 5:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/SVoEU0x8nY
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) May 23, 2019
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Fredericksburg VA, Cherry Hill VA, La Plata MD until 5:00 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/OxCyg8PGeG
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) May 23, 2019
Watches
The locations in Virginia under watches include Spotsylvania and Stafford counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria and Fredericksburg.
In Maryland, the watch applies to Anne Arundel, Prince George’s, Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties.
A severe thunderstorm watch has been issued for parts of DC, MD, PA, VA, WV until 8 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/88iRPgoDiD
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) May 23, 2019
Severe Thunderstorm Warning including Centreville VA, Bethesda MD, Reston VA until 3:45 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/gMu6fIuDY9
— NWS DC/Baltimore (@NWS_BaltWash) May 23, 2019