After 2nd Tornado In A Week, Howard County Is Recovering

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — Exactly one week after a tornado touched down in Columbia, Howard County was hit by another twister. This one blew through the western part of the county, near Dayton and Glenelg.

"The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down near Glenelg, causing over 3,000 homes to lose power and over 30 roads to close," County Executive Calvin Ball said in a statement on Friday, May 31. "The Department of Public Works Bureau of Highways reports significant damage to their Dayton facility, but no injuries."

The tornado occurred at 3:22 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, according to the National Weather Service, which was surveying the area on Friday morning.

Weather officials issued a tornado warning Thursday after a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado was located 7 miles northeast of Olney at 3:21 p.m.

"Today, our cleanup work continues," Howard County Bureau of Highways Chief Kris Jagarapu said in a statement midday Friday. "We have about 60 crew members working hard to clear all roads of debris."

"We advise all residents with debris on private property to take it to the landfill or bundle it for yard waste collection," Jagarapu said. "We are just finishing our efforts regarding last week’s tornado, and we expect to complete our new cleanup efforts over the next week."

A tornado touched down between Clarksville and Columbia at 3:34 p.m. on Thursday, May 23.

"Thank you to all of our dedicated county employees for responding to this weather event and for their work every day to keep our community safe," Ball said. "Thankfully, we have not gotten reports of any serious injuries."

That said, Ball continued: "These weather events remind us all to remain vigilant and prepared."

People should call 911 for all emergencies, including trees blocking the roads, according to the county executive.

Howard County Fire & Rescue Services Deputy Chief William Anuszewski offered tips to prepare in the event of severe weather and encouraged residents to come up with an emergency plan:

• Know the signs of a tornado: a rotating, funnel-shaped cloud; a cloud of debris approaching; or a loud roar that is similar to a freight train.
• Get emergency alerts by phone from federal, local and state authorities.
• Be mindful of weather reports, since meteorologists can often predict when conditions could lend themselves to tornado development.
• "If you are in a tornado warning, go to your basement, safe room, or an interior room away from windows. Don't forget pets if time allows," Anuszewski said.

What was the storm like near you? Tell us in the comments.

This swing set was torn apart by yesterday’s tornado. Strong wind carried the slide from the backyard to the front of this Glenelg home. Hear from the homeowner tonight at 5 only on @FOXBaltimore pic.twitter.com/rkHvvkBeGY
— Maxine Streicher (@MaxineStreicher) May 31, 2019

Just spotted this outside of Baltimore, a few minutes after a tornado warning was issued for Howard County, Maryland. pic.twitter.com/h4CIhdW1U4
— Misty Stiver (@mistystiver) May 30, 2019

One Howard County woman describes what she experienced as a tornado ripped through her property. https://t.co/Nmnjer6P6K pic.twitter.com/ChavmY2wXg
— WTOP (@WTOP) May 31, 2019