Lightning — Montgomery, Maryland

2001-06-20 · near Gaithersburg, Montgomery, Maryland

Event narrative

Eighty people were displaced after a lightning fire severely damaged an apartment complex. The event time was estimated.

Wider weather episode

Scattered thunderstorms that produced damaging winds, heavy rainfall, hail, and frequent lightning moved through the area between 8 and 11 PM EDT on the 20th. In Montgomery County, lightning struck an apartment complex in Gaithersburg and started a fire that displaced 80 people. The complex sustained 2 million dollars in damage. Pea sized hail was reported in Rockville. In Howard County, trees and power lines were downed in Ellicott City. In Baltimore County, high winds downed power lines and 100 trees across the city of Baltimore. Over 15,000 city customers lost power during the storm. In Cantonsville, lightning struck a home and started the roof on fire. In Prince George's County, two trees were downed across Cipriano Road. Marble sized hail was reported in Lanham.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5254214. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.