Tornadoes and Flash Flood in Maryland, May 22, 2001

Thunderstorms that produced wind gusts in excess of 55 MPH, large hail, heavy downpours, frequent lightning, and isolated tornadoes crossed the area during the afternoon and early evening hours of the 22nd. In St. Mary's County, an F0 tornado, possibly a waterspout that came ashore, crossed the southern tip of Jutland Neck 2 miles southwest of St. Inigoes. The tornado snapped large trees and destroyed a shed just off Smith Creek on Jutland Drive. The tornado was 50 yards wide and was on the ground for 1/4 of a mile. Elsewhere across the county, high winds downed several trees and power lines. Communities affected included Compton, MIles Town, Clements, Ridge, Leonardtown, Morganza, and Hollywood. At the intersection of Chancellors Run Road and Route 235, downed trees blocked the road. In Clements, a large tree was downed onto a mobile home and severely damaged the structure. One person inside the home suffered a minor knee injury. Marble sized hail was reported in Hollywood. Dime sized hail fell at Ridge and Point Lookout. Hail of unknown size fell in Leonardtown. Rainfall totals included 1.91 inches in Hollywood and 1.43 inches in Oraville. In Charles County, a waterspout that formed over the Potomac River came ashore on Cobb Island. The tornado cut a path across the central portion of the island as it moved northeast. Then it crossed Neale Sound and moved into the community of Rock Point on the mainland before it dissipated. The 100 yard wide tornado was on the ground for 1.8 miles and was ranked as an F1. Numerous trees were downed onto roads, cars, utility lines, and homes. Minor damage was reported to buildings in a three block area around Potomac River Drive. In Waldorf, a wind gust of 75 MPH and golfball sized hail was reported. Trees were downed by high wind in Indian Head and in other locations across the county. In Calvert County, an F0 tornado was spotted by an observer at Patuxent Naval Station and Skywarn spotters crossing the southern tip of Solomon's Island. The tornado was estimated to be 50 yards wide and on the ground for 1 mile before moving offshore and dissipating. A spotter traveling west out of Solomons spotted a wall cloud around the same time. Elsewhere across the county, trees and power lines were downed by high winds. Communities affected included Prince Frederick, Huntingtown, Barstow, and Sunderland. In Prince George's County, trees and power lines were downed. Heavy rain caused a stream to overflow its banks and wash out a low-lying bridge on Iverson Street in Silver Hill. A car was found in the creek after the bridge washed away. Several basements in the vicinity were flooded. In Cheverly, an unoccupied recycling building partially collapsed from water damage. Rainfall totals included 2.13 inches in Oxon Hill, 1.90 inches in Glenn Dale, 1.82 inches at Harry Truman Drive, 1.81 inches in District Heights, and 1.60 inches in South Bowie. In Anne Arundel County, high winds downed trees in Arnold. After a heavy downpour, water backed up onto the Severn River Bridge. King George Street in Annapolis was closed by high water for 2 hours. Rainfall totals included 2.60 inches in Annapolis, 1.75 inches in Millersville, and 1.53 inches at Baltimore-Washington International Airport. In Montgomery County, minor stream flooding was reported a the intersection of Shady Grove Road and Interstate 370. Flooding was also reported at the intersection of Braddock Road and Interstate 495. Rainfall totals include 2.48 inches at the Potomac Water Filtration Plant, 2.42 inches in Potomac, 2.05 inches in Rockville, 1.82 inches in Olney and Bethesda, and 1.73 inches at Brighton Dam. In Howard County, a total of 2.41 inches of rain fell in Elkridge. In the city of Baltimore, rainfall totals included 1.83 inches at Fort McHenry, 1.80 inches at Inner Harbor, and 1.55 inches at Carroll Park. In Allegany County after a heavy downpour, a spotter reported streams overflowing their banks onto roads and property in Cresaptown and Rawlings. At Savage River Dam in nearby Garrett County, a total of 1.63 inches of rainfall was recorded.