Maryland, 2000

Damaging Winds and Lightning Strike in Maryland, July 28, 2000

July 28, 2000 · NWS LWX · 7 events in 6 counties and zones

During the afternoon and evening of the 28th, thunderstorms that produced winds in excess of 55 MPH, heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning moved across Maryland. In Washington County, trees and power lines were downed southwest of Hagerstown and near Hancock.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 4 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

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths
0
Injuries
0
Property damage
$32,000
Crop damage
None recorded
Events
7

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 LWX wrote it up.

During the afternoon and evening of the 28th, thunderstorms that produced winds in excess of 55 MPH, heavy rainfall, and frequent lightning moved across Maryland. In Washington County, trees and power lines were downed southwest of Hagerstown and near Hancock. In Frederick County, three homes were damaged by lightning. In Montgomery County, power lines were downed and 1.94 inches of rain fell in Darnestown. A total of 2.62 inches fell in Baltimore. In Prince George's County, trees were downed in Marlow Heights. In St. Mary's County, 2.00 inches fell in Tall Timbers and 1.73 inches fell in Ridge. Minor flooding was reported in Leonardtown.

The radar

The Sterling radar (KLWX), 77 km away, was scanning. The volume nearest the first event began at 21:44 UTC.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

3 thunderstorm wind, 3 heavy rain, 1 lightning. Local standard time, as filed.

Thunderstorm Wind, Washington

When
July 28, 4:50 PM EST
Where
Washington County, Hagerstown
Property damage
$500
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
39.650, -77.717

Trees and power lines were downed southwest of Hagerstown.

Heavy Rain, Montgomery

When
July 28, 6:00 PM EST to 7:00 PM EST
Where
Montgomery County, Countywide
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
39.136, -77.204 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Montgomery

When
July 28, 6:15 PM EST
Where
Montgomery County, Countywide
Property damage
$500
Reported by
LAW ENFORCEMENT
Coordinates
39.133, -77.200

Power lines were downed.

Lightning, Frederick

When
July 28, 6:15 PM EST to 6:45 PM EST
Where
Frederick County, Countywide
Property damage
$30,000
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
39.472, -77.398 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Three houses were damaged by lightning.

Heavy Rain, St. Mary'S

When
July 28, 6:30 PM EST to 8:30 PM EST
Where
St. Mary'S County, Countywide
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
38.216, -76.529 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Heavy Rain, Baltimore City (C)

When
July 28, 6:30 PM EST to 8:30 PM EST
Where
Baltimore City (C) County, Baltimore
Reported by
TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates
39.290, -76.612 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Thunderstorm Wind, Prince George'S

When
July 28, 7:15 PM EST
Where
Prince George'S County, 1 mi SE of Hillcrest Hgts
Property damage
$500
Reported by
NEWSPAPER
Coordinates
38.820, -76.950

Trees were downed in Marlow Heights.

What these are

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.
Heavy Rain
Rainfall totals unusual for the place and season that did not produce a flood.
Lightning
A lightning strike that killed, injured or caused damage.

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

The same day elsewhere

More

Every storm in Maryland in 2000Every state in 2000This day in weather historyWarnings in Maryland, July 2000

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: 5176127, 5176132, 5176128, 5176133, 5176130, 5176131, 5176129.