Maryland, 1999

Flash Flood and Damaging Wind in Maryland, August 26, 1999

August 26, 1999 · NWS PHI · 3 events in 1 county or zone

Thunderstorms brought a plethora of problems to Cecil County during the evening of the 26th. A severe thunderstorm pulled down several trees in Elkton.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 2 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

  • Tornadoes
  • Tropical storms and surge
  • Floods
  • Wind
  • Hail
  • Winter weather
  • Heat and drought
  • Cold
  • Fire, smoke and dust
  • Marine and coastal
  • Other

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The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
None recorded
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
3

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS PHI wrote it up.

Thunderstorms brought a plethora of problems to Cecil County during the evening of the 26th. A severe thunderstorm pulled down several trees in Elkton. Most of the damage occurred around the Cecil County Historical Society Building. At least one vehicle was damaged. Frequent lightning caused power outages and set three house on fire. In addition, about 5,000 homes and businesses lost power in Cecil and Harford Counties. Torrential rains also fell in the western half of the county and caused flash flooding. Doppler Radar Storm total estimates reached four inches from Charlestown to Bayview. The torrential rain in Charlestown caused a house wall to collapse. Many roads were closed including Maryland State Route 7 and U.S. Route 40 around North East and Charlestown. Many motorists became stranded and had to be rescued.

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

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Event by event

1 lightning, 1 thunderstorm wind, 1 flash flood. Local standard time, as filed.

Lightning, Cecil

When
August 26, 7:00 PM EST to 7:40 PM EST
Where
Cecil County, Countywide
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
39.562, -75.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Cecil

When
August 26, 7:30 PM EST
Where
Cecil County, Elkton
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
39.600, -75.830

Flash Flood, Cecil

When
August 26, 7:30 PM EST to 9:00 PM EST
Where
Cecil County, West Portion
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
39.562, -75.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.
Thunderstorm Wind
Winds from a thunderstorm of 50 knots (58 mph) or more, or lower winds that caused damage or casualties. Measured gusts are marked MG, estimated EG.
Flash Flood
Flooding that begins within six hours of the rain that causes it, or of a dam or levee failure or ice jam release, often with deadly speed.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Maryland in 1999Every state in 1999This day in weather historyWarnings in Maryland, August 1999

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5718101, 5718100, 5718102.