What a wild Friday night for weather all across Central Maryland. Numerous reports of trees down and roofs blown off of buildings as a line of severe storms rolled through.
The storm activity started a little before 8:30pm. This is when our first Severe T-Storm Warning was issued for portions of the area. A line of strong storms erupted from Hagerstown pushed east into Frederick Co. and eventually Carroll and Howard counties where they intensified even more.
The line quickly bowed out packing gusty winds and even the concern for a possible tornado right around Mount Airy, MD at about 8:20pm. The signature was very distinct on on the storm relative velocity maps that rotation was occurring but of course is hard to disseminate especially when it's dark out.
National Weather Service crews surveyed the scene today and found a 400 yard swath of damage over 4.7 miles caused by an EF-1 Tornado. Numerous trees snapped between extreme northwest Howard County and Carroll County.
Within the case of Mount Airy, MD no life threatening injuries or fatalities were reported. Trees remain down throughout the area leading to road closures and claims ti insurance adjusters. The storm that produced the in Mount Airy eventually rolled east toward Baltimore City as well as Baltimore and Harford counties.
While in route to the city a 71 mph wind gusts was recorded by a trained weather spotter in Hampstead, MD (Carroll County).
Trees and power-lines were also taken down in this area along with flooding reported in the Bruceville/Keysville area.
Even though many locations received 1-3" of rain flooding was not the big concern. It was the wind and the potential for tornadoes.
As storms raced into the city of Baltimore warnings continued to be issued. The next Severe T-Storm Warning to note was for Baltimore City as well as Baltimore and Harford Counties. This warning came out before 9:30 pm and produced the storm that led to the deadly partial building collapse at the Amazon Fulfillment Center in Dundalk.
Once again rotation was detected with this storm and the storm survey concluded this also to be a tornado with winds over 105 mph. At the scene tractor trailers were tossed around like toys as insulation and other debris line the parking lots of the facility.
2 fatalities reported on scene as a result of the building collapse but no other injuries reported. With 2 fatalities reported that stops the streak of no fatalities from tornadoes since 2002.
Besides Dundalk wind damage was reported throughout Harford County in Fallston and Hickory. Trees and powerlines were toppled along with siding ripped off of buildings.
Luckily this weekend is much calmer. Clean-up can begin as high pressure remains in control. More problems though with severe weather look to arrive on Election Day next week. Remember you can download our free mobile app WMAR2News and StormShield available at the APPLE/GooglePlay store for the latest weather updates.
