Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Virginia, June 16, 1998

Like a broken record, severe weather erupted again in northern and western Virginia - exactly one day after thunderstorms pounded many of the same areas. This time around, a cold front aided in triggering the episode, though upper-level wind shear was a major player in destabilizing the atmosphere much like it had done the previous day. Incredibly, the 16th would be the third out of four afternoons that severe weather had occurred in some portion of northern and western Virginia.A comma-shaped line of thunderstorms - indicative of a mesoscale low pressure system - developed by the middle of the afternoon. The comma "head" curled from eastern West Virginia into western Maryland, then formed a line through western and central Virginia. Several tornadoes touched down in the vicinity of the comma head, from extreme northwestern Virginia through eastern West Virginia and northern and western Maryland; along the comma tail, individual cells produced large hail with some damaging wind gusts.Damage to trees and wires occurred in many areas but, overall, was not quite as substantial when compared to that of the 13th. Nevertheless, several trees were uprooted, including one which fell onto an automobile, between Harrisonburg and Broadway (Rockingham Co). Numerous trees were reported down near Craigsville (Augusta Co). Farther east, trees were down in portions of Fauquier, Loudoun, and Prince William Cos. A late storm produced damaging winds across much of Highland Co; numerous trees and wires were knocked down.A small tornado struck in and northeast of Clear Brook (northeast Frederick Co), uprooting at least 7 maple trees, smashing a storm window, flattening a barn, and snapping or uprooting 24 additional trees along Grace Church Road. The parent thunderstorm would continue into eastern West Virginia and western Maryland, producing additional tornadoes. Allegheny Power reported 2300 customers lost electricity in Frederick Co alone. Another small tornado touched down in Lovettsville, causing structural damage at one residence and felling numerous trees in a 200-300 ft. wide path. Straight-line wind damage (mainly to trees) was also noted in other areas of northwestern Loudoun Co.The main severe weather culprit this day was large hail. Hailstones the size of baseballs dented cars, broke vehicle windows, and stripped paint and siding in portions of Madison, Augusta, Albemarle, Greene, and Culpeper Cos. In general, hail ranged from 1 to 2.75 inches in diameter. There were likely dozens of crop fields which sustained losses; a few residential gardens were wiped out by the large hail, which lasted 5 minutes or more in some locations.Lightning also caused some damage. A home was set afire in Loudoun Co, causing an estimated $200 thousand in damage. A security guard at Fort Belvoir (southern Fairfax Co) was shocked while opening a metal door; he was treated and released from the Army community hospital after slight numbness ensued. Other lightning damage was noted in Fredericksburg; one home was struck, sustaining minor damage; there were several instances of personal electronics equipment failures (as reported by a local repair shop).Power outages were widespread; in all, Virginia Power reported approximately 64,000 customers without electricity in northern and western Virginia; Allegheny Power and several rural electric co-operatives reported at least 3,000 additional outages.