NWS: Columbia storm damage caused by tornado (2024)

BALTIMORE —

UPDATE (June 6): A National Weather Service team confirmed to 11 News that storm damage on Tamar Drive in Columbia was caused by a tornado.

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Four NWS teams are fanned out across Maryland on Thursday to investigate reports of possible tornado damage. The meteorologist-in-charge in Montgomery and Howard counties let 11 News tag along with him.

ORIGINAL STORY (June 5): Wednesday night's severe storms dumped heavy rain and developed rotation, prompting several tornado warnings and leaving behind extensive damage in Maryland.

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Perhaps the areas hardest hit by storms are in Montgomery County. Videos posted on social media from across Montgomery County showed storm conditions and funnel clouds that appeared to be consistent with tornadoes.

As of 8:30 p.m., a rare five different tornado warnings were in effect at the same time across north-central Baltimore, southern Harford and eastern Howard\northwestern Anne Arundel\southwestern Baltimore counties.

By 8:45 p.m., the storms cleared much of Carroll, Howard and Montgomery counties, but continued in Baltimore, Anne Arundel and Harford counties and Baltimore City, particularly in the Arbutus area, moving northeast into the city.

The worst of the storms was starting to move east by 9:30 p.m., but flooding started to become an issue in low-lying areas.

Anne Arundel County

• Northwest Anne Arundel County tornado warning expired at 8:45 p.m.

Baltimore City

• Baltimore City tornado warning canceled at 9:16 p.m.

Baltimore County

A weather service spotter reported a tornado crossing Interstate 95 near Interstate 195 in Arbutus. There were reports of numerous trees and power lines down in the area.

• Tornado warning in canceled as of 10:02 p.m.
• SE Baltimore County under tornado warning until 9:30 p.m., extended to 10:15 p.m.
  
• At 9:05 p.m., the weather service said a radar-confirmed tornado was located near Bowleys Quarters and Middle River, moving east at 25 mph.
• At 8:55 p.m., a confirmed tornado was located over Arbutus, or near Baltimore, moving east at 25 mph.
• According to the National Weather Service, a trained spotter called to report a funnel cloud near the intersection of Reisterstown Road and Bosley Lane in Baltimore County.
• SW Baltimore County tornado warning expired at 8:45 p.m.
• NW Baltimore County tornado warning expired at 8:45 p.m.

Carroll County

Carroll County emergency management officials reported at least two trees on houses in the Gamber and Eldersburg areas.

• SE Carroll County tornado warning expired at 8:45 p.m.
• SW Carroll County tornado warning expired at 8:45 p.m.
• Central Carroll County tornado warning expired at 8 p.m.

Cecil County

• SE Cecil County under tornado warning until 10:15 p.m., extended to\expired at 11 p.m.

Harford County

• Tornado warning in canceled as of 10:02 p.m.
  
• South-central Harford County under tornado warning until 10:15 p.m.
• Central Harford County tornado warning canceled at 7:55

Video below: Flooding in Edgewood

Howard County

• SE Howard County tornado warning expired at 8:45 p.m.
• At 8:16 p.m., the National Weather Service said a confirmed tornado was located near Highland, moving east at 30 mph.

Montgomery County

Around 7:15 p.m., the weather service started to issue several tornado warnings in Montgomery County, saying a confirmed tornado crossed over from Virginia into Poolesville before moving east into Gaithersburg and Germantown.

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There were numerous reports of damage across Montgomery County, including a tree that crashed into a house on Dogwood Drive in Gaithersburg, trapping five people and causing multiple injuries.

WBAL-TV 11 News reporter Tori Yorgey reported from the scene, where the massive tree was uprooted and crashed into the house.

Video below: Tree crashes into Gaithersburg house

Walt Umana, of Gaithersburg, shared doorbell camera video showing the storms tearing trees apart.

"We normally don't get this type of weather out here," Umana said. "The house started rumbling, we saw a lot of debris flying right outside the window. And then once the trees started to fall, we started to hear some super loud sounds that we've never heard before."

Video below shows storm tearing trees apart

Montgomery County officials warned residents not to approach downed wires.

"We do have some live wires down across the county, avoid those, that's a key thing. And so, if you see a tree down, assume there's wires in it and don't approach it until you're confidant that it's been cleared," Earl Stoddard, Montgomery County's assistant chief administrative officer, told 11 News.

Earlier in the evening, tornado warnings started to be issued in Frederick County, as well as Carroll and north-central Baltimore counties, particularly in Kingsville, co*ckeysville, Perry Hall and Middle River.

Eastern Shore

• Northern Kent County under tornado warning until 10:15 p.m.

ORIGINAL STORY: Meteorologist Ava Marie said multiple rounds of storms are forecast to start in the mid-afternoon Wednesday that could be capable of heavy rain, strong winds or an isolated tornado. Flash flooding is possible near streams and low-lying roads while temperatures will be in the upper 70s and low 80s.

A Flood Watch has been put in place by the National Weather Service until 10 p.m. in the Baltimore metro area, especially in Howard County. Ava said there's a lot of moisture in the atmosphere, which could result in heavy downpours during thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening.

Weather Talk video below: Severe storm safety tips

As much as 1-2 inches of rain is likely, but isolated spots could even get 3 inches. Drivers should expect slower commutes from reduced visibility, and be on the lookout for flooded roads. Never drive through a flooded road as it only takes 1-2 feet of swift moving water to float most vehicles.

Wednesday evening will see another set of heavy showers before coming scattered showers overnight. Temperatures will only drop to the low 70s before a warmer but slightly less humid Thursday.

It will also be another Impact Weather Day on Thursday with scattered showers and possible thunderstorms returning by the morning. Temperatures will reach the mid-80s as rain chances continue through Friday with isolated afternoon showers possible.

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Alert Days vs. Impact Days

You may see the WBAL-TV 11 Weather Team highlight Alert Days or Impact Days in the forecasts. Here's what that means:

• An Impact Day is when weather will likely disrupt your normal daily schedule or routine.
• An Alert Day is when there's a threat of extreme, severe and possibly life-threatening weather.

Potential power outages

Storm conditions could cause outages by knocking down tree limbs onto power lines and other electric delivery equipment. Baltimore Gas and Electric asks all customers to report their outage in any of the following ways: 

• Online, at BGE.com
• BGE's free mobile app, available at the Apple Store or Google Play 
• Text message, to 69243 
• Phone, by calling 877-778-2222

The latest outage information, including total number and general locations, is available on the BGE.com outage map.

As a reminder, fallen overhead power lines should never be approached or touched even if the lines do not appear to be live or sparking. Call BGE at 877-778-2222 to report fallen electrical lines, power outages and gas odors.

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