Hail and Damaging Winds in Maryland, August 17, 1997

Clusters of strong to severe thunderstorms developed ahead of a strong cold front, one that put an end to a two-day period of oppressive heat and humidity. The most notable damage occurred along the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay during the middle of the evening, when a microburst containing estimated winds of up to 90 mph destroyed two barns, and lifted a gas station pump canopy off its moorings, in Deale.The first event occurred in extreme northern Montgomery Co at around 4:15 PM, when a chapel at a religious summer camp was struck by lightning and burned to the ground. Thankfully, campers were gone for the summer - normally the chapel would be filled at that hour. About one hour later, lightning struck a 26-foot sailboat on the Chesapeake Bay just east of St Margarets, causing minor injuries to two men aboard. The same storm produced gusty winds which caused at least two other vessels to become distressed. One of the boats, an 18-footer, reportedly sank near Greenbury Point.Another cell moved into northern Montgomery Co at around 5:30 PM, dropping 3/4 to 7/8 inch diameter hail and knocking down small trees and large limbs in the Olney/Ashton area. During the early evening hours, thunderstorms became a bit more organized across northern Maryland. The line drifted south and east through the evening, producing frequent lightning, brief downpours, and several instances of damage. In eastern Washington Co, at least four trees fell onto local roads between Sharpsburg and Hagerstown. Soon after, numerous large limbs, some trees, and power lines were knocked down in the Whites Ferry area of Montgomery Co, as well as in portions of Frederick City.Additional damage occurred across northern Maryland between 7:15 and 8 PM. In southern Carroll Co, a tree fell onto a house in Winfield. At least a dozen medium-sized tree limbs fell near Eldersburg, where an observer recorded a gust of 69 mph. In Baltimore Co, emergency management officials reported numerous trees, limbs, and power lines down, several blocking area roadways. Two trees were blown down in neighboring Harford Co; other trees and large limbs were blown down in eastern Howard Co from Columbia to Ellicott City.Damage in Glen Burnie and the Linthicum area included at least 20 affected trees, a damaged shed and fence, and downed wires. a man was slightly injured when a large limb fell onto his automobile in Glen Burnie. Wind gusts at nearby BWI airport were as high as 53 mph. The heavy rain may have contributed to a three-car pile up in Glen Burnie, in which all 15 passengers sustained minor injuries. Excessive speed and hydroplaning were the likely culprits.In all, over 30,000 Maryland residents were without power as a result of the storms, including 28,800 in the Baltimore Gas and Electric service area.