A powerful line of thunderstorms tore across Maryland on Saturday evening, capping a sweltering Fourth of July with flash flooding, water rescues, widespread power outages, downed trees and power lines, a four-alarm fire in Baltimore and the cancellation of holiday celebrations across the state.
After temperatures climbed into the triple digits, the storms unleashed torrential rain and wind gusts approaching 70 mph, flooding roads, stranding motorists, knocking out internet and electric service, disrupting rail travel and forcing emergency crews into action. On Saturday night, firefighters responded to water rescues and downed wires as the fast-moving storm transformed a day of celebration into one of weather-related emergencies.
After a hot and sunny day, skies darkened just before 7 p.m. as severe thunderstorm warnings were issued for the Baltimore area, Southern Maryland and areas just above the city. Heavy rains and high winds burst through Baltimore and its surrounding counties soon after the warnings were issued.
About 70,000 people were left without power as of Saturday night, according to the Baltimore Gas and Electric outage map. Most of those impacted were in Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties, the BGE map showed.
Maryland’s railways south of Patapsco station lost power Saturday evening, according to the Maryland Department of Transportation. Service was suspended, but buses helped transport passengers. Interstate 97 is closed in both directions at Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard in Anne Arundel while crews remove downed wires. Drivers were warned to expect delays and use alternate routes.
The storms upended Fourth of July celebrations across Maryland, forcing organizers to cancel, postpone or delay parades, concerts and festivals from Annapolis to Baltimore. Several fireworks shows were delayed as the storms moved through the region.
Temperatures and the heat index, which measures how hot it feels, broke triple digits for the third day in a row, according to the National Weather Service, which issued an extreme heat warning for much of the state Saturday. The high temperature was expected to hit 102 in the Baltimore area, weather service data shows.
The hottest Fourth of July recorded at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport was in 2002 at 100 degrees, according to the weather service. Saturday’s temperature may have exceeded, or come close, to that.
The Baltimore area was also under a code orange air quality alert, warning people who are sensitive to poor air quality to stay inside, according to the Maryland Department of the Environment. The suburbs of Washington were under code red alerts, which means the air quality is unhealthy.
Battalion Chief Andrew Laird with the Baltimore County Fire Department said it received over 40 heat-related calls and transported 31 people to the hospital Friday. Four people were in serious condition, he added.
Laird noted that there may have been more calls for heat illness but other conditions are often listed as the primary illness.
Heat causes holiday disruptions
The high temperatures caused delays and cancellations in the area. Some Amtrak trains in the Northeast were canceled, the company said.
A Metrorail train derailed near College Park because of a heat-related track issue, injuring one man and forcing 11 passengers to evacuate. Trains going in both directions were delayed following the derailment after already having slowed due to the extreme heat.
A handful of roads were in need of emergency repairs Friday.
Keep yourself safe
Fire departments and emergency rooms are seeing patients with heat-related illnesses. If you are outside, stay hydrated and drink fluids. Keep in mind these symptoms:
- Muscle pain or spasms
- Feeling hot but not sweating
- Heart racing
- Vomiting
- Extreme weakness
- Nausea
- Disorientation
- Slurred speech
- Rapid, shallow breathing
Baltimore is under a code red alert, activating its cooling centers and extending hours at city pools. Anne Arundel County has extended hours and days for its cooling centers.
A list of cooling centers in every Maryland county is available on the Maryland Department of Health’s website.
This article has been updated.
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