Two tornadoes with peak winds blowing 80 to 90 mph struck Maryland as severe weather swept the region Friday afternoon, leaving uprooted trees and damaged homes, the National Weather Service confirmed.
The first hit in Olney, Maryland, about 12:22 p.m. and left several families displaced after trees fell on homes, Montgomery County fire department spokesperson Pete Piringer said. No injuries were reported.
An EF1 tornado touched down near the border between St. Mary's and Charles Counties about 8:32 p.m., causing damage along a 4.16-mile path, the National Weather Service said Sunday. No injuries were reported.
What We Know About the Olney Tornado
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The twister was rated as a weak, EF0 tornado with peak winds estimated at about 80 mph. It traveled a quarter-mile and only lasted about a minute, the National Weather Service said.
“The residents did tell me they got tornado warning, and they took appropriate action,” Pirigner said. “The next thing they know, they heard a crash, a boom and several trees were down.”
Wind whipped trees and caused debris to swirl around in the area, video shows. About 10 to 15 trees were uprooted and hit homes and vehicles. The most significant damage was noted on the 3600 block of Toddsbury Lane and Queen Elizabeth Drive, officials said.
What We Know About the Tornado in St. Mary's and Charles County
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The second tornado traveled from Charlotte Hall to Benedict, tearing down many trees and causing damage to two houses, the National Weather Service said.
Peak winds blew at 90 mph. EF1 tornadoes have winds between 86 and 110 mph.
The worst impacts were near Mount Wolf Road. Investigators found one to two dozen trees uprooted, and some were snapped.
Large tree branches broke windows and ripped siding at a home on White Drive. Another tree fell onto a home near Chappelear Drive, officials said.
Some trees knocked down power lines, the Mechanicsville Volunteer Fire Department said Friday.
