High Wind — St. Mary's, Maryland

2006-09-01 · St. Mary's, Maryland

Event narrative

Catastrophic damages were sustained in extreme Lower Southern Maryland from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto. Most of the damages were caused by the high winds, although damages were also sustained due to extensive storm surge flooding of coastal areas. High winds persisted for much of the day and evening in Lower Southern Maryland due to the remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto moving through the Mid Atlantic. Wind gusts as high as 60 mph were reported in St. Mary's County. Wind gusts as high as 70 mph were reported from the public, however these winds were not able to be substantiated. These winds, coupled with heavy rains, caused extensive tree and powerline damage around the county. The most extensive damages occurred along Murray Road in the town of Ridge. The damages to trees and powerlines were explained by local residents as more extensive than during Hurricane Isabel in 2003. St. Mary's County Government reported total cost of direct weather related damages, including the added cost of manpower to respond to damages and debris removal, at $4.4 million. The damage cost reported in Storm Data is estimated at $3.30 million for St. Mary's County for damages to private and public property and restoring power systems. The Storm Data estimate does not include the costs of manpower and debris removal. High winds also occurred in Calvert County, with downed trees, powerlines, and subsequent power outages. The most extensive damages in Calvert County occurred close to the Chesapeake Bay, in the communities of Cove Point and Solomons Island.

Wider weather episode

The Tide crest at Annapolis was 3.56 MLLW late Friday. Moderate coastal flooding occurred due to the storm surge from the remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto. In Charles County, mandatory evacuations were ordered due to the flooding, with many roads flooded. Piers and bulkheads were also damaged along the western shore of the Chesapeake. Tide crest was 4.45 MLLW in the upper Tidal Patuxent River late Friday.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5531248. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.