Maryland tornado warning: Live coverage after storm hit Montgomery County
WASHINGTON - Tornado warnings continue for parts of Maryland northeast of Baltimore.
At 9:44 p.m., the tornado-warned storm was moving northeast of the D.C. and Baltimore areas toward Delaware.
Thousands of Maryland residents faced power outages Wednesday night after a tornado swept through parts of the state, causing significant tree damage and downed power lines.
FOX 5 meteorologists Mike Thomas and Caitlin Roth reported that the tornado touched down in Poolesville, confirmed by spotters, and tracked east at 20-25 miles per hour around 7:14 p.m.
The tornado was near Germantown, Gaithersburg, Montgomery Village, North Potomac, and Boyds by 7:20 p.m., moving through Gaithersburg just before 7:40 p.m. It was captured on live camera crossing I-270 in Gaithersburg during FOX 5's coverage.
Tornado in Gaithersburg caught LIVE on FOX 5
A tornado ripped across 270 in Gaithersburg in a "serious and potentially life-threatening storm," according to FOX 5 meteorologist Mike Thomas.
"This rotation has been weakening and then strengthening. It's been pulsating," said FOX 5's Mike Thomas. "Neelsville up there to the north, we want you to take shelter as this line continues to move eastward."
"That is the portion of the storm right here, where this tornado is not only confirmed but confirmed to be doing some damage," he added. "That is why it's gone 'considerable'. That is not issued lightly. It's one of the first I've seen since I've been in the D.C. area."
"This to me is the most significant storm I've ever seen in the area," Caitlin Roth remarked. "We saw it rotating, lofting debris into the air, causing several power surges due to lightning strikes. The tornado that crossed I-270 on our skycam has moved east, north, and east of Gaithersburg, heading towards central Montgomery County, between Laytonsville and Olney. It's holding together with a lot of lightning, too."
Several downed trees were reported in Gaithersburg, including one that fell into a home on Dogwood Drive. Officials rescued five people trapped inside, four of whom were transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, while the fifth was taken as a trauma patient.
On Wednesday a Flood Watch was issued for much of the Washington, D.C. region as multiple showers and thunderstorms affected evening commutes.
A Flood Watch is in effect from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. for the District, parts of Maryland, and areas of northern Virginia.
Showers and storms drenched several neighborhoods Wednesday afternoon and are expected to continue into the evening.
FOX 5's Jim Lokay shared a video on social media showing standing water on Florida Avenue in the Shaw neighborhood of D.C.
Drivers should exercise caution on wet roads as flash floods are possible, especially in low-lying areas and regions prone to flooding.
The National Weather Service forecasts rainfall amounts of one to two inches, with isolated areas potentially receiving three to four inches.
These storms could persist overnight, impacting the Thursday morning commute.
Expect sunshine with temperatures near 80 degrees on Friday and Saturday, followed by a mostly sunny Sunday with a chance of afternoon showers.
No comments:
Post a Comment