A tornado with winds estimated at around 80 mph touched down Friday afternoon in Olney, Maryland, causing damage to vehicles and property.
A tornado with winds estimated at around 80 mph touched down Friday afternoon in Olney, Maryland, causing damage to vehicles and property.
According to the National Weather Service, the tornado’s damage path began in the 3600 block of Toddsbury Lane, where downed and blown tree limbs damaged vehicles in the cul-de-sac.
Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Department chief spokesman Pete Piringer said some homes were occupied, but residents received a tornado warning and took appropriate action.
A handful of neighbors have been temporarily relocated.
Traffic Advisory – Queen Elizabeth Drive CLOSED in parts between Georgia Ave. and Rt108, Olney – especially between Shady View Lane and Heritage Hill Dr., road blocked by storm debris and cleanup pic.twitter.com/V8aQJax8Wp
— Pete Piringer (@mcfrsPIO) May 27, 2022
Around the same time, 12 to 15 trees – some up to two feet in diameter – were reportedly uprooted by strong winds and fell along the footpaths between Toddsbury Lane and the adjacent Queen Elizabeth Walk.
The uprooted trees also caused limited damage to vehicles and residences along Queen Elizabeth Driveway.
Eyewitnesses to the event say there was “a whirlwind of debris” on the Toddsbury Lane cul-de-sac. The NWS estimated that winds reached 80 MPH due to the uprooting of “hardwood and softwood” trees in the path.
No injuries were reported in Friday’s tornado.