Tornado Touches Down in Howard County; Severe Storms Sweep Through Area

What to Know

  • A tornado touched down for nearly 13 miles in Howard County, Maryland, the National Weather Service confirmed.
  • A severe thunderstorm in Waldorf, Maryland, started a fire that destroyed a woman's home, officials say.
  • In D.C., the Cleveland Park Metro station was closed after flooding sent water cascading down an escalator.

Violent storms swept through the D.C. area Tuesday, including a tornado that touched down in Howard County, Maryland.

The tornado touched down about 5:30 p.m. for nearly 13 miles in a path about 500 yards wide, the National Weather Service said late Tuesday. From the air, Chopper4 captured video of trees down throughout the area.

No injuries had been reported as of late Tuesday.

In D.C., the Cleveland Park Metro station was closed after flooding sent water cascading down an escalator. Commuters who got off a train trudged through the deep water, photos show.

The storm flooded road, downed trees and power lines, and sent golf ball-sized hail raining down on Reston, Virginia.

Storm Sparked Maryland House Fire
A severe thunderstorm in Waldorf, Maryland, started a fire that destroyed a woman's home, officials say.

Rhonda London came home from work Tuesday evening to see her house had been destroyed by a fire during a violent storm.

"I just moved in here a year ago, and to come home to this? I've lost everything," she said.

Cellphone video taken by a neighbor shows orange flames shooting out of the roof of the house.

The fire department said the thunderstorm toppled a tree, pulling down live power lines onto her garage. The blaze caused $200,000 in damage.

"I have nothing right now but the clothes on my back," London said.

The Red Cross gave London vouchers for food and clothing for three days. After that, she is on her own.

"I just have to take it from day to day," she said.

Damage Across the Region
Storms lingered into late Tuesday evening and brought winds of more than 60 mph in some places, Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer said. 

News4 viewers shared photos of a falling tree that sliced through a house in Glenelg, Maryland.

Shortly before 7 p.m., water cascaded into the Cleveland Park Metro station, pouring down the escalator as commuters were trying to head home. The station had to be closed due to flooding.

The severe weather also knocked trees onto power lines in Middleburg, Virginia, shutting down a portion of Route 50. Storm Team4 received reports of many trees down in Gaithersburg and Howard County, with 1-inch diameter hail in Montgomery Village, Severn and Ellicott City.

BGE reported 39,000 customers without power Tuesday afternoon, with the majority -- 23,000 -- in Howard County. Crews were fully mobilized and went out to make repairs. About 5,500 customers remained without power Wednesday morning.

Pepco said it had 5,700 customers without power around the same time. Most were are in Montgomery County, with 150 in Prince George's. By Wednesday morning, less than three dozen customers still remained in the dark.

Pepco warned people to stay away from any wires that may be hanging from poles or lying on the ground. Treat any wires as if they are energized, Pepco posted on Twitter.

Storm Team4 Chief Meteorologist Doug Kammerer has the update on the severe weather at 5 p.m. on June 21, 2016.

There is also a chance of severe weather Thursday, StormTeam4 said. Strong winds and hail are possible.

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