High Wind and Strong Wind in Maryland, December 12, 2000

A vigorous cold front crossed the region between 4 AM and 9 AM on the 12th. As the front passed, northwest winds gusted to between 40 and 60 MPH and didn't begin to subside until midday. In Allegany County, a wind gust of 54 MPH was recorded in Cumberland and a gust of 52 MPH was recorded in Frostburg. Trees and power lines were downed and windows were blown out across the county. In Cumberland, a handful of trees and power lines were downed and roofing material blew off a building. In Frostburg, a metal shed was blown off its foundation into a parked car, light pole globes were broken, and vent slats on city hall were damaged. A 70-foot-tall communications tower on the peak of Dan's Mountain near Frostburg was blown over. The gusts that blew over the structure were so powerful that the guide wires securing the tower pulled concrete blocks out of the building to which they were anchored. In Washington County, winds gusted to 47 MPH in Hagerstown, 52 MPH in Sharpsburg, and 59 MPH in Williamsport. A directional sign was blown onto Interstate 70. Trees and wires were reported downed on Oreback Road, Dam No. 4 Road and in Fairplay. In Frederick County, large tree limbs were downed onto Route 15 at Point of Rocks. A wind gust of 44 MPH was recorded at the Frederick Airport. In Montgomery County, trees were downed near Barnesville and Dickerson Roads and on Monocacy Road. In Prince George's County, wind gusts included 53 MPH at Andrews AFB and 40 MPH at South Bowie. A total of 3000 customers lost power in the Maryland suburbs of Washington D.C. In Carroll County, a gust of 63 MPH was recorded at Manchester and a gust of 57 MPH was recorded at Millers. Over 3000 customers lost power after power lines were damaged. In Howard County, winds gusted to 46 MPH in Laurel. In Baltimore County, Key Bridge was closed to large trucks and motorcycles due to the high winds. A wind gust of 52 MPH was recorded at Martin State Airport and a gust of 45 MPH was reported in Parkton. In Owings Mills, winds gusting to up to 48 MPH damaged a building under construction and downed many trees. Nearly 12,000 customers in the Baltimore metropolitan area lost power. In Anne Arundel County, measured wind gusts included 60 MPH at Rivera Beach, 54 MPH at Baltimore/Washington International Airport, and 41 MPH at Millersville. In Harford County, Aberdeen Proving Grounds reported a wind gust of 43 MPH. Fallen trees knocked out power to a Havre de Grace school and almost 5000 other customers across the county. Several roads across the county including Route 543 and Boggs Road were closed by fallen trees. In Calvert County, utility poles were downed along Route 260, closing the highway in both directions. In St. Mary's County, winds gusted to 40 MPH at Patuxent Naval Station.