Strong Winds, Torrential Rainfall Impacting Central MD: Officials

While a severe thunderstorm watch was posted until midnight for much of Maryland, multiple warnings have been issued due to damaging winds and torrential rainfall in parts of the state.

A special marine warning is in effect until 10:30 p.m. Wednesday for the Chesapeake Bay from Sandy Point to North Beach. Officials issued the warning after detecting wind gusts near 34 knots on a line from the Chester River to west of Annapolis, moving east at 30 knots.

Authorities advised boaters to seek safe harbor, so wind and waves do not capsize their vessels and throw them overboard.

These areas may be affected: Parsons Island, Eastern Bay, Greenbury Point, Miles River, Naval Academy, Shady Side, Highland Beach, Sandy Point State Park, Severn River, Romancoke, Bloody Point Light, Chesapeake Bay Bridge, Matapeake, Thomas Point Light, Mayo and Annapolis.

Parts of the Eastern Shore are under a severe thunderstorm warning until 9:45 p.m.

Cecil, Caroline, Kent, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties are under the warning, issued after radar indicated severe thunderstorms with 60 mph wind gusts on a line from Newtown to Romancoke that were moving east at 30 mph around 9:15 p.m.

Roofs, siding, trees, and power lines may be damaged in these areas, according to the warning: Easton, Centerville, Talbot, Chestertown, Denton, Centreville, Romancoke, Greensboro, Oakland, Ridgely, Rock Hall, Church Hill, Cecilton, Millington, Sudlersville, Betterton, Goldsboro, Queen Anne, Old Town and Grasonville. People were advised to go inside to the lowest level of a building.

After 8 p.m., authorities said a line of strong thunderstorms was impacting Anne Arundel, Howard, Harford, Baltimore and Prince George's counties and Baltimore City. Radar detected strong thunderstorms on a line from Jarrettsville to Pikesville to near Ellicott City to near Laurel to Wheaton-Glenmont, moving east at 40 mph.

Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph are possible with these storms.

"Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may cause localized flooding," the National Weather Service said in a statement. "Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways."

These locations may be impacted: Baltimore, Columbia, Bowie, Severn, Annapolis, Pikesville, College Park, Crofton, Middle River, Greenbelt, Cockeysville, Langley Park, Beltsville, Elkridge, Aberdeen, Havre de Grace, Riviera Beach, Mayo, Naval Academy and Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Damaging winds may cause trees and large branches to fall, which would affect homes, vehicles, roads and people outside. Power outages are possible.

Northern Harford County was under a severe thunderstorm warning until 8:45 p.m. Wednesday. Officials said a line of severe thunderstorms was detected by radar near Delta, Pa., moving east at 30 mph. There were 60 mph winds with the storms, officials said.

Cecil County was under a severe thunderstorm warning until 9 p.m. after a severe thunderstorm was located near Jarrettsville after 8 p.m., moving east at 35 mph.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until midnight for Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties and Baltimore City.

EXPIRED: A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for parts of Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard counties until 8:15 p.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service issued the warning before 7:40 p.m. due to a line of thunderstorms near Gamber and Mt. Airy moving east at 30 mph.

Radar showed the storms had 60 mph wind gusts, according to the weather service.

People in the warned areas should be alert due to the potential for a tornado.

"Tornadoes can develop quickly from severe thunderstorms," according to the severe thunderstorm warning. "If you spot a tornado go at once into the basement or small central room in a sturdy structure. For your protection move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a building."

These areas may be impacted, according to the warning: Pikesville, Cockeysville, Historic Ellicott City, Ellicott City, Towson, Woodlawn, Randallstown, Owings Mills, Eldersburg, Milford Mill, Reisterstown, Lochearn, Mays Chapel, Timonium, Fallston, Hampstead, Manchester, Sykesville, Jarrettsville and Oakland.

Damaging winds may cause trees and large branches to fall, which would affect homes, vehicles, roads and people outside. Power outages are possible.

A severe thunderstorm watch is in effect until midnight FOR Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Calvert, Caroline, Carroll, Cecil, Charles, Frederick, Harford, Howard, Kent, Montgomery, Prince George's, Queen Anne's and Talbot counties and Baltimore City.

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