Skip to main content

‘Train out of nowhere:’ Damages reported as storms roll through DC region

A dry Fourth of July was followed by a stormy Tuesday afternoon in the D.C. area. The National Weather Service issued tornado warnings in several Maryland counties. The weather service will be investigating possible tornadic activity in Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties. There is visual evidence showing tell-tale signs of tornado damage in Bowie, a National Weather Service spokesman said. An investigation will confirm whether a tornado did touch down in the area. In Shady Side, the spokesman said there was visual evidence of tornadic activity, and again, an investigation will be conducted on whether there was a tornado that passed by. Localized flooding, hail, lightning and gusty winds struck the region, Storm Team4 Meteorologist Ryan Miller said. The storms moved out of the region by 8 p.m., but not before causing some damage to houses in the area.

X

To view this content from @Meg_Handtruck on X, click here.

Trishia Martinez was at home when a tree fell on her house. It sounded like a “train out of nowhere,” and she said the tree almost hit her and her brother. Martinez said that she could see the tree from inside the house, and it took out walls. The roof in that part of her house was also completely caved in and the fence was destroyed. After a storm passed through one Bowie neighborhood, downing tree limbs and power lines, neighbors were pitching in with chainsaws trying to clear a large tree and debris at Sara and Shield lanes.

X

To view this content from @DickUliano on X, click here.

Bowie Mayor Tim Adams said damage assessment teams are checking several neighborhoods. Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks said the county’s emergency management team has responded to downed trees and utility damages in two Bowie neighborhoods.



Forecast

On Wednesday, expect highs in the upper 90s in the afternoon, Miller said, along with another chance of showers and storms in the afternoon and evening. Thursday and Friday could also see more storms rolling in as well, Miller said. Tuesday night: Thunderstorms end after sunset. Partly cloudy and muggy overnight. Lows in the upper 60s to mid 70s. Wednesday: Partly sunny, hot and humid. A chance of afternoon and evening thunderstorms. Highs around 90. Thursday: Showers and thunderstorms, with highs in the mid to upper 80s. Friday: Scattered showers and thunderstorms, with highs in the mid to upper 80s.

Current weather

WTOP’s Rick Massimo and Abigail Constantino contributed to this report.

Hot, humid week ahead for DC area with severe storm risk

A dangerous heat wave will grip the D.C. area through Thursday, with highs in the mid to upper 90s and heat index values between 100 and 105. Hot and humid conditions are expected through Thursday, according to the National Weather Service, which said to expect daily thunderstorm chances and a risk of severe thunderstorms. 7News Meteorologist Eileen Whelan told WTOP that most of Tuesday will stay dry, but a few late-day thunderstorms are possible, especially north and east of D.C. as storms drift south from Pennsylvania. Any storm could produce damaging wind gusts and hail, but Whelan reiterated "storm chances are low" on Tuesday. Due to a lack of air conditioning, Parkdale High School in Riverdale, Maryland, closed early at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Prince George's County Public Schools said in a social media post.
Read Next Story