Hail and Damaging Winds in Virginia, July 28, 1997

A squall line, which originated from an individual thunderstorm in southwest Pennsylvania, produced scattered wind damage across northern Virginia during the late afternoon as it raced across the region. The most impacting damage occurred in Frederick Co, where numerous trees and wires were blown down in the Winchester area. One of those trees became an airborne missile, crashing through an automobile windshield and slightly injuring the 30-year old female driver. In Clarke Co, several trees and large limbs were felled in the Berryville area, including one onto the historic home of George Washington's adopted daughter. Numerous wires were reported down as well.Dozens of other trees and large limbs fell in western Loudoun co, northern Fauquier Co, and Arlington Co. In western Loudoun Co, a large limb just missed striking a country inn; a picnic table was tossed from one yard to another. The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative reported 3800 customers were without power during the peak of the storm. Some of the limbs that fell blocked roads; most notably federal route 340 near Berryville.In Arlington Co, a man and woman were struck by lightning in the Pentagon's parking lot; the man remained in serious condition that evening. Large limbs fell onto the George Washington Parkway at Spout Run. At least 14,000 customers were without power during the peak of the storm in the northern Virginia suburbs.