A building that was at least three stories high collapsed as 50 mph gusts whipped through Northeast D.C. Sunday night.
Update structure collapse on 20th St NE. All searches concluded by #DCsBravest with no evidence of anyone trapped. This structure was at least 3 stories high. Debris fills side street. @Dcra on scene. 3 adults & 3 children from adjacent home remain evacuated. pic.twitter.com/hyx21W3PVT
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) March 29, 2021
The structure fell apart around 9 p.m. on 20th Street near Rhode Island Avenue.
D.C. Fire and EMS sent in a canine rescue dog named Kimber to determine whether anyone was inside the building in the 3000 block of 20th Street. No one was found.
Update structure collapse 3000 block 20th St NE. @PepcoConnect has cut power to downed lines. #DCsBravest Search and Rescue canine Kimber with handler Chris Holmes is conducting a search along with Special Ops personnel from our Rescue Squads. pic.twitter.com/FlBpHfSFE6
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) March 29, 2021
The building was either being renovated or was under construction, according to the fire department.
Structure collapse 3000 block 20th St NE. Major collapse of a structure either being renovated or under construction. Power lines also down. Search will be conducted once power is secured. No injuries reported. pic.twitter.com/476RrMXItT
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) March 29, 2021
Splintered wood and dry wall took down nearby electrical poles.
No one was injured.
Six people — three adults and three children — in an adjacent home did have to evacuate during the collapse, but they were able to return shortly after.
A building inspector is investigating the collapse.
In a separate incident, Sunday’s storm caused a scaffolding on a four-story building on Prospect Street in Northwest to partially collapse. According to D.C. Fire and EMS, the scaffolding was found leaning over the sidewalk in a “precarious position,” forcing emergency crews to evacuated restaurants that were below it, including Peacock Café, Mai Thai and Café Milano.
No injuries were reported.
Update structural damage incident 3200 block Prospect St NW. Large section of scaffolding atop 4 story building leaning over sidewalk in precarious position. Danger of further toppling to street. #DCsBravest evacuated restaurants below and established a collapse zone. No injuries pic.twitter.com/8nSV7v9wSx
— DC Fire and EMS (@dcfireems) March 28, 2021
Trees down across DC area
Powerful winds brought trees and wires down across the area, causing power outages.
As of 11:30 a.m. Monday, the WTOP Traffic Center reported the following street closures due to storm-related damage:
DC
- Prospect Street NW closed both ways between 33rd Street NW and Wisconsin Avenue NW due to structural damage to a building involving a partially-collapsed scaffolding.
- Huntington Street NW closed both ways between 39th Street NW and Reno Road NW due to a downed tree.
Maryland
- MD-97/Georgia Avenue closed both ways at Aspen Hill Road due to a report of downed wires on the roadway.
- MD-108/Clarksville Pike closed both ways west of Centennial Lane due to downed wires, drivers should follow police direction.
Virginia
- VA-193/Georgetown Pike closed both ways near Leigh Mill Road due to a downed tree and damaged electrical pole.
For the latest road and traffic conditions, see WTOP’s traffic page or listen to updates every 10 minutes online or on the air at 103.5 FM. Submit traffic tips by calling 866-304-WTOP or tagging @WTOPtraffic on Twitter.
“We had really high winds overnight. Watch out for a lot of debris on the roadways,” Storm Team4 meteorologist Mike Stinneford said Monday morning.
Monday is expected to again be windy, with winds out of the northwest. Gusts will be over 25 mph as temperatures top out near 60 degrees.
Forecast:
- Monday: Mostly sunny and breezy. Winds of 10 mph to 20 mph, with gusts to 25 mph. Highs near 60.
- Tuesday: Slight breeze, sunny and warmer. Winds out of the South at up to 20 mph. Highs in the upper 60s.
- Wednesday: Rain showers. Highs in the mid 60s.
- Thursday: Cold with morning rain. Winds out of the Northwest of 15 mph to 25 mph. Highs in the upper 40s
WTOP’s Alejandro Alvarez, Jose Umana and Luke Lukert contributed to this story.
