Thunderstorm Wind in Kent County, Delaware

A severe thunderstorm blasted the Dover area with hurricane force gusts and caused about $1.5 million dollars in property damage. No serious injuries were reported. The wind gusted to 80 mph at Dover Air Force Base. Seventeen homes, four apartment buildings, one commercial building and one townhouse were damaged. The northwest section of Dover bore the brunt of the severe thunderstorm. The thunderstorm peeled two-thirds of the roof off the Whatcoat Village Apartments. The families were evacuated and the building condemned. A large part of the roof was also peeled from the Wedgewood Apartments. In nearby West Dover 100-year-old oaks were uprooted and sheared. A multi-story addition was smashed by massive oak and holly trees. At least one vehicle was crushed by a tree. About 15,000 homes and businesses lost power throughout the state. It took until the next morning to get everyone around Dover back on line.