Severe Storms Could Bring Tornadoes, Derecho-like Damage

UPDATED (8:43 p.m.)—

Severe storms predicted for Thursday could bring tornadoes and damaging winds with related damage rivaling the derecho of last summer, weather forecasters say.

"If the derecho was a 10, this event is going to be a nine," said Rich Foot, a Dundalk resident and founder of Foot's Forecast.

"The potential for damage and the timing really compare to the derecho event or the June storm of last year," Foot said.

The National Weather Service Wednesday  afternoon issued a hazardous weather outlook for much of the state for Thursday. The developing storms could bring large hail and damaging winds as well as the potential for tornadoes to develop.

On Thursday, the government agency is calling for a potential significant severe weather event. Storms associated with the event could be capable of producing wind gusts of up to 50 mph, large hail and possibly tornadoes.

"For the National Weather Service to say there is a 45 percent risk of tornadoes for this area 24 hours out—that's extremely high this far out there in terms of time," Foot said. "In the meteorology business, that's death and destruction."

Foot cautioned that "we've seen these [warnings] fail before" but said area residents should still prepare and be aware of the potential for severe weather conditions.

"Depending on how the atmosphere organizes the energy currently moving east from the Ohio Valley tonight, on Thursday, portions of Maryland may receive significant impacts from severe weather - such as large hail, strong damaging winds and torrential rain. However, the super-cell scenario also means that some areas may see little to no impact, if a storm does not form in that location," according to a statement about Thursday's storm that was posted Wednesday afternoon on Foot's Mid-Atlantic Severe Weather forecast Facebook page.

Foot said he thinks the area "is going to be nailed. Hopefully I just jinxed it."

"On Thursday morning, the atmospheric will produces "clues" about how the day may unfold. If leftover moisture from brief storms tonight persists into morning as light rain, the severity of these threats may diminish. However, numerous meteorologists throughout the weather community are very concerned, as we are, this could become a very high-impact event quickly in a heavily populated region," according to Foot's weather statement.

County and state officials are urging the public to prepare for the storm.

"Again, we're monitoring the forecast closely. It continues to call for severe weather beginning tonight, with the most severe weather [Thursday]," said Elise Armacost, a spokeswoman for the Baltimore County Office of Emergency Management. "We strongly urge residents to follow the preparedness steps suggested in MEMA's recent news release, and we have shared that on our social media accounts. The possibility of strong winds means we are concerned that people take steps now to ensure that they're prepared in case of a power outage."

Gov. Martin O'Malley canceled a Thursday morning press event in Prince George's County because of the impending storms.

The Maryland Emergency Management Agency also urged residents to take steps to prepare for the storm including:

• Make sure cell phones and other portable devices are fully charged and consider purchasing and charging spare batteries.
• Have a disaster supply kit with bottled water, non-perishable food (with a hand-operated can opener), a first aid kit, portable   radio and flashlight with extra batteries, toiletries, special items needed for pets or infants, prescription medicine, a change of clothes and bedding. The kit will be helpful if you have to evacuate quickly or if you are without power.
• Keep some cash available in case ATM machines are not available.
• Have copies of important documents such as home and property insurance policies, driver’s licenses, health insurance cards, etc.
• Know where you would meet other members of your family if your home is not safe.
• Remember that in the immediate aftermath of a serious event, wireless communications systems may be overloaded. Text family members to let them know you are safe so voice calls for emergency agencies can go through.

Updates on the conditions in the county and its response to the predicted storms can be found on the county's emergency management Twitter account and on Facebook. You can also follow the Maryland Emergency Management Agency and the National Weather Service on Twitter.

Read more:

• Strong Thunderstorms Expected in Maryland