Severe Thunderstorm Warning Includes Howard, Montgomery Counties

COLUMBIA, MD — A severe thunderstorm warning has been issued Aug. 7 for portions of Howard and Montgomery counties, according to the National Weather Service. The warning includes west central Howard County and northwestern Montgomery County until 2:45 p.m.

At 2:01 p.m., a severe thunderstorm was located near Boyds, or near Poolesville, moving northeast at 25 mph. The Weather Service says the main hazards from the storm are 60 mph wind gusts and half-dollar size hail.

Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall, which could cause injuries to anyone outdoors, or damage homes and vehicles. Roadws may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.

Communities in the warning area include: Germantown, Damascus, Lowes Island, Poolesville, Montgomery Village, Countryside, Boyds, Clarksburg, Darnestown, Barnesville, Beallsville and Dawsonville.

As a precaution residents are urged to move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building.

Also, both counties are under a severe thunderstorm watch until 8 p.m. Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Prince George's counties are also under the watch.