Thursday’s storms have dampened the heat in the D.C. area, but they also brought damage, traffic delays and power outages. Here’s what you need to know.
Two tornado warning were issued in D.C. Maryland and Virginia Thursday night. Widespread damage has been reported in Arlington, Virginia, with numerous trees, wires and poles blown down.
In one instance, a large tree fell down on a house on the 4300 block of 16th Street North, trapping a person inside. Arlington Fire & EMS said that the person was extracted from the home and taken to a nearby hospital with non-life-threatening injures.
Watched fencing and numerous large trees come down near Lincoln Memorial in fierce winds #dcwx pic.twitter.com/k95Y3dW9F4
— Dave Dildine (@DildineWTOP) July 2, 2021
Earlier Thursday, the National Weather Service had also issued a tornado warning for central Anne Arundel County in Maryland and northeastern Prince George’s County.
D.C.; parts of Northern Virginia, including Fairfax and Arlington counties and Alexandria; and Maryland, including Montgomery and Prince George’s counties were under a flash flood warning for over two hours before it was cancelled.
Flash Flood Warning including Washington DC, Arlington VA, Alexandria VA until 11:30 PM EDT pic.twitter.com/EFwdMEB4v0
— NWS Baltimore-Washington (@NWS_BaltWash) July 2, 2021
Parts of the D.C. area were under a flash flood warning due the heavy rain that fell in short periods of time. Somewhere between 1 to 3 inches in total, and maybe 4 inches in some areas, had been predicted.
The storms had an impact on traffic in the area, particularly on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, where delays were over 5 miles eastbound to the Ritchie Highway exit, and traffic was halted due to heavy rain. Restrictions on the bridge have ended, but there were still residual delays.
Elsewhere, the WTOP Traffic Center reported several dark traffic lights throughout D.C.-area roads, as well as downed trees and wires and storm debris.
In Montgomery County, a large tree fell into an apartment building in Silver Spring, and occupants were evacuated. No injuries have been reported.
Pete Piringer with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue said residents in five apartments have to find a new place to stay.
Chevy Chase Crest Condos, 1800blk East West Highway, large tree crashed onto a apartment/condo building, building inspector on scene, five (5) condo units posted unsafe to occupy, building evacuated, no injuries https://t.co/vC8BXapGNJ pic.twitter.com/QiESf9G4Sm
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) July 1, 2021
Meanwhile in Prince George’s County, a large tree fell onto a house, landing inside a bedroom on the second floor. No injuries have been reported.
Approx 3:39pm, #PGFD units responded to the 14800 blk of Kimberwick Dr in Bowie for collapse investigation. On scene, crews found a large tree into an *unoccupied* house. No injuries. Tree fell through the roof into a bedroom on the 2nd floor. @PGCountyOEM assisting residents. pic.twitter.com/DshFwyEAOr
— Prince George’s County Fire/EMS Department (@PGFDNews) July 1, 2021
Anne Arundel County Fire Department spokesman Lt. Michael Mayo said most of the calls for service were in the Davidsonville, Crofton, Crownsville and Annapolis areas.
“We had multiple homes with trees on them. No reports of any injuries in any of those homes or entrapments. We did have a couple of vehicles with trees on them. Also with no injuries or entrapments,” Mayo said.
In Northwest D.C., a tree fell on a house on 32nd Street. An upstairs bedroom and the back deck were damaged, but the neighbor across the street told WTOP’s Michelle Basch that no one was home. The neighbor said the impact sounded like a car crash.
What a mess of storm damage at this house in Northwest DC @WTOP pic.twitter.com/49CqswGm58
— Michelle Basch (@mbaschWTOP) July 1, 2021
In the Capitol Hill Neighborhood, a tree fell down on Massachusetts Avenue SE near Lincoln Park.
Tree down on Massachusetts Ave SE near Lincoln Park @WTOP pic.twitter.com/ks2ak0E0br
— Sarah Beth Hensley (@SarahBethHens) July 2, 2021
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Outages
“We’ve got traffic lights out, for instance, on Route 50. So it’s gonna be basically just getting the county back online in terms of power, getting the traffic lights working,” Donelan said.
The line of severe storms today caused significant damage around Bowie. We appreciate your patience as it may be a while before we able to get to all reports. At the moment, our current priority is to clear the streets. pic.twitter.com/6IlPlJUCdD
— Bowie Maryland (@CityofBowie) July 1, 2021
There were about 50 to 60 calls for service for fire lines down throughout Anne Arundel County, Mayo said.
“And at one point we had about 40 call for service just for water and roadway trees, down power lines. Let’s do that. We have no information of any weather related injuries at this point,” Mayo said.
Forecast
The rain brought on a temperature drop, and on Friday, relief arrives with highs in the mid 70s to low 80s.
Storm Team4 meteorologist Mike Stinneford said a shower or storm is possible on Friday, but it won’t be a washout.
There may be some scattered rain on Saturday, but the Fourth of July plans to be pleasant and dry, Stinneford said.
Thursday night: Showers and occasional thunderstorms, some heavy downpours still possible, especially south of D.C. Mild and muggy. Lows: mid 60s to near 70.
Friday: A few leftover showers in the morning, then a mix of clouds and sun. Breezy and warm but turning less humid. Highs: upper 70s to low 80s.
Saturday: Mix of clouds and sun. A stray shower or a thunderstorm, otherwise mild and comfortable. Highs: upper 70s to near 80.
Sunday (Fourth of July): Partly sunny. Warmer but still dry and comfortable. Highs: low to mid 80s.
