Water Rescue Reported in Howard County During Thunderstorm

Rescuers were called to a weather-related emergency after the National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Howard County on Monday, Aug. 15.

While the warning expired at 7 p.m., shortly after that a water rescue was underway in Elkridge, according to Howard County first responders, who said that a vehicle was stuck in high water near Roosevelt Boulevard at Meadowridge Road.

By 7:15 p.m., authorities said that those inside the vehicle had been helped to dry land and first responders were clearing the scene.

Elsewhere, crews were responding to a possible house fire in the 5500 block of Barrington Court in Ellicott City. Smoke was showing at the residence, where officials said there was possibly a fire in the attic.

Due to the storm, forecasters had warned of possible 60 mph wind gusts and quarter-sized hail as well as damage to trees and power lines. Citizens were advised to remain inside away from wind and lightning, on the lowest floor for protection from the threat of falling trees.

After expiring in Howard, the severe thunderstorm warning remained in effect until 7:45 p.m. for Anne Arundel and Prince George's counties.

Previously, at 6:40 p.m., weather officials said a line of severe thunderstorms was detected from Elkridge to Hyattsville, moving east at 20 mph.

At 6:17 p.m., severe thunderstorms were located over Fairland, near Beltsville, moving east at 15 mph. Before 6 p.m., radar detected a severe thunderstorm over Olney, moving east at 20 mph.

In addition to Howard County, Prince George's and Montgomery counties were under the severe thunderstorm warning. Locations possibly impacted by the storm include Columbia, Ellicott City, Elkridge, Laurel, Savage-Guilford, Bethesda, White Oak, North Kensington, Wheaton, Rockville, Olney, Beltsville, Fairland, Redland, Kemp Mill, Rossmoor and Aspen Hill.

Photo courtesy of NOAA.