Damaging Wind in Maryland, August 16, 1996

A wet microburst knocked down over 100 trees, several power lines, and caused minor structural damage along a 1 3/4 mile, 300-yard wide path through a commercial/residential section of Bowie. Hail averaging the size of quarters (1 inch diameter) piled up between 1 and 2 inches deep at several residences prior to and during the microburst.The damage began along Annapolis Road (state route 450) and tracked southeast through the Buckingham and Somerset residential sections before dissipating just west of state route 3. At the Market Place Mall (on Annapolis Road), a small portion of roof was lifted off, causing some rain and hail to filter into a hair salon. Water damage was minimal. An awning surrounding a tire center was blown off, and a small portion of the mall's cinema placard was stripped.The storm continued through the subdivisions, knocking down a combination of white pine, white poplar, and Bradford Pear trees. Sturdy hardwood (e.g. oak) trees were untouched. Several trees fell onto or into homes in the area, but the majority fell on yards. One of the fallen trees punched a hole through a single family home. Two trees fell onto vehicles, temporarily trapping the drivers. No injuries were reported; approximately 5000 Potomac Electric Power Co. customers lost electricity.