Violent thunderstorms wreaked havoc in the D.C. region on Saturday, causing major roads to be closed, trees to fall, and widespread power outages. The storms, fueled by extreme heat and humidity, a strong cold front, and a disturbance high in the atmosphere, pounded the Beltway region with heavy rain and winds exceeding 80 mph.
The downpour arrived in the District after temperatures reached a scorching 96 degrees for the second consecutive day, marking the highest reading in the city so far this year. While the storm did not produce tornadoes or a derecho, its powerful winds dislodged chimneys, tore down signs, peeled off roofs, and toppled trees onto buildings and cars.
Numerous major roads were affected, with reports of trees down on the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Interstate 95, the Capital Beltway, the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and Interstate 66. Over 200,000 customers experienced power outages, with around 15,000 customers still without power in D.C. and Maryland, and over 7,000 in Northern Virginia.
Tragically, the storms also appeared to have caused the death of a 43-year-old man in Prince William County. Authorities reported that a tree fell on his home, but the cause of death has yet to be confirmed.
Cleanup efforts were underway throughout the region, with crews working to remove fallen trees from roadways. The northern section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway, from Spout Run Parkway to the Capital Beltway, remained closed until all hazardous trees were cleared. The Clara Barton Parkway area also experienced numerous downed trees.
The National Zoo announced its closure on Sunday for debris cleanup following the storm. Additionally, the D.C. Fire and EMS Department responded to a record-breaking 810 calls over the weekend, many of which were storm-related.
As the situation continues to develop, updates will be provided.
How is the region responding to the chaos caused by the storms
Violent thunderstorms unleash chaos in D.C. as roads shut down, trees fall, and power disappears! These fierce storms, fueled by scorching heat, humidity, and atmospheric disturbances, pounded the Beltway region with torrential rain and winds reaching a whopping 80 mph.
It was a true downpour in the District, following two scorching days where temperatures soared to a sweltering 96 degrees – the highest recorded this year. While the storm didn’t whip up any tornadoes or cause a derecho, its monstrous winds wreaked havoc, dislodging chimneys, ripping signs apart, and even tearing off roofs. It toppled trees onto buildings and crushed cars as if they were matchsticks.
The impact was felt on major roads across the region, with reports flooding in of trees blocking routes like the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Interstate 95, the Capital Beltway, the George Washington Memorial Parkway, and Interstate 66. With over 200,000 affected, many were left in the dark with power outages. As of now, around 15,000 residents in D.C. and Maryland, alongside over 7,000 in Northern Virginia, are still waiting anxiously for their power to return.
Sadly, the storms appear to have claimed a life in Prince William County. A 43-year-old man tragically lost his life when a massive tree crashed into his home, though the exact cause of death is yet to be confirmed.
However, the region is not sitting idly by as crews work tirelessly to clean up the aftermath. Fallen trees are being removed from roadways, and the northern portion of the George Washington Memorial Parkway remains closed until all dangerous trees are cleared. The Clara Barton Parkway also suffered from its share of fallen trees.
The storms even disrupted activities at the National Zoo, which was forced to close on Sunday for debris cleanup. The D.C. Fire and EMS Department received an overwhelming number of calls, clocking in at a record-breaking 810, many of which were directly related to the storm.
Stay tuned for updates as the situation unfolds. We’ll keep you informed on all the latest.
It’s heartbreaking to see the extent of damage caused by the violent thunderstorms in the D.C. region. My thoughts are with those affected, and I hope power is restored soon. Stay safe everyone!