Thunderstorm Wind — Carroll, Maryland

2002-07-09 · near Winfield, Carroll, Maryland

Event narrative

Gusty winds and driving rain toppled several tents, resulting in injuries to 10 people.

Wider weather episode

Thunderstorms with heavy downpours and damaging winds moved through Central Maryland between 6 PM and 9:30 PM EDT on the 9th. In Washington County, a wind gust of 61 MPH was recorded just northeast of Smithsburg. Light tree damage was noted in the vicinity. In Frederick County, trees were downed in Frederick where a wind gust of 48 MPH was recorded. One fallen tree damaged four cars on North Market Street. The communities of Mount Airy, Thurmont, Braddock Heights, and Frederick reported power outages. In Carroll County, gusty winds and driving rain toppled several tents at a community festival in Winfield. Ten people were injured. Wind gusts were estimated between 40 and 50 MPH. In Anne Arundel County, numerous trees and electrical wires were downed in the central and northern portion of the county. Communities affected by the high winds included Maryland City, Glen Burnie, Waugh Chapel, Odenton, Orchard Beach, Annapolis, Linthicum, Marley Park, Harmon's Dorsey, Arnold, Harold Harbor, Riva, Lake Shore, and Crofton. A wind gust of 49 MPH was recorded at the Naval Academy in Annapolis and a gust of 48 MPH was measured at BWI Airport. In Baltimore County, hundreds of trees and some power lines were downed between Reisterstown and Dundalk. Officials in Baltimore City received 50 calls regarding downed trees. A wind gust of 48 MPH was recorded on the University of Maryland's Baltimore Campus. A wind gust of 62 MPH forced a 20 minute closure of the Key Bridge (Interstate 695) as the storms moved through. In the Baltimore metro area, around 70,000 customers lost power as a direct result of the storm. In Harford County, trees were downed in Joppa and Bel Air.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5308451. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.