News Summary
Maryland and the D.C. region faced unexpected severe storms on Friday night, with tornado warnings issued across several counties. The heavy rainfall led to flooding, displacing families in Annapolis, while power outages affected hundreds. Despite the warnings, no tornadoes confirmed, but residents were advised to seek shelter amid hazardous conditions. The Annapolis Pride festival was postponed as a precaution, and forecasters caution of continued localized flooding and thunderstorms into the weekend, although some sunshine is expected to return.
Severe Storms Bring Chaos to Maryland and D.C. Region
In a surprising twist of weather fate, Maryland and the D.C. region found themselves under the severity of storm warnings late Friday night. What started as a sunny day took a drastic turn, leading to tornado warnings across multiple counties. As darkness fell, residents braced themselves for a tumultuous night filled with heavy rain, fierce winds, and hazardous conditions.
Flooding Turns Homes into Havens of Uncertainty
The National Weather Service stepped in, issuing a flood watch due to the expected downpours that caused local rivers and streams to overflow. In Anne Arundel County, the flooding became so severe that it sparked an electrical fire in a home, leaving families in Annapolis without a roof over their heads. Thankfully, the Red Cross was on standby, providing assistance to those displaced, though there is no clear timetable for them to return to their homes.
Power outages compounded the chaos, with a report of 488 customers losing electricity as of 9:23 p.m. Friday, according to Baltimore Gas and Electric. Imagine the scenario: In the comforts of your home, suddenly cut off from electricity just as the storm howls outside.
The Calm Before the Storm
Earlier in the day, the sun seemed to fuel an atmosphere ripe for chaos, marked by a significant spike in instability. As the evening neared, the threat of damaging winds, large hail, and possible tornado activity loomed large on the horizon. A tornado watch was first sent out covering parts of Maryland, and soon this watch stretched southwest to incorporate areas of North Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia. By 5 p.m., it was clear the storm was serious enough to expand the tornado watch to include Western Maryland until 8 p.m.
Parade on Pause
In light of the severe weather, planners for the Annapolis Pride festival made the call to postpone their parade and festival, showing how unpredictable weather can reshape even the most festive events. New dates for the event are yet to be announced, but everyone will be eagerly waiting for the sun to shine on their celebrations.
Expect the Unexpected
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Additional Resources
- WBAL-TV
- Wikipedia: Severe Weather
- Weather.com
- CBS News
- Fox 5 Atlanta
- Washington Post
- Washington Post – Image Resource
- WTOP
- NJ.com
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Weather
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON WRITER
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexington.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
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