What was left of Hurricane Ivan surged into the Washington region yesterday, creating charcoal gray skies, menacing tornadoes that tore the roofs off several houses and thunderstorms that forecasters say will probably last through this afternoon before heading off the Eastern Seaboard.
In Maryland, two women were killed early today when high winds blew a large tree onto their home in Cecil County. Police identified the women as Grace Jackson, 87, and her daughter Betty Kline, 62. Kline's husband, Harry Kline, 64, climbed through the roof of the crushed home and escaped with minor injuries. In Harford County, Md., five people were reported injured during the storm in the pre-dawn hours.
Twin tornados hover near Remington in Fauquier County, where about 25 houses were severely damaged in storms that raked the region.
(Rich Condit For The Washington Post)
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| __ What to Do __ • If a tornado watch is issued, it means that a tornado is possible.
• If a tornado warning is issued, it means that a tornado has actually been spotted, or is strongly indicated on radar and it is time to go to a safe shelter immediately.
• Indoors: Avoid windows. Go to the lowest floor: a basement or small center room (like a bathroom or closet). Crouch as low as possible to the floor, facing down. Cover your head with your hands. Cover yourself with some sort of thick padding (mattress, blankets) to protect against falling debris.
• In a car or truck: Vehicles are extremely dangerous in a tornado. Park the vehicle, get out and seek shelter in a sturdy building. Avoid seeking shelter under bridges, which offer little protection against flying debris.
• Outdoors: Lie flat and face-down on low ground, protecting the back of your head with your arms. Get as far away from trees and cars as you can; they may be blown onto you.
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Metro Area Under Flood Watch: Meteorologist Andy Woodcock at the National Weather Service describes how the remnants of Hurricane Ivan are affecting the local weather.
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In Manassas, Va., residents were cleaning up today after a possible tornado damaged at least 35 homes in the Battery Heights neighborhood. It was one of as many as 30 suspected tornadoes that state officials say were spotted across Virginia Friday.
From late afternoon through the evening, a seemingly endless string of funnel clouds and tornadoes whirled across the Washington area. There were no reports of injuries in the region last night, but dozens of homes in Fauquier and Prince William counties were damaged, and there was sporadic damage in Fairfax, Loudoun and Frederick counties. The weather also might have sparked a fire at Leesburg Executive Airport.
Although the damage was not widespread in the region, it was intense, as was the fear and uncertainty that came with at least a half-dozen tornado warnings from the National Weather Service.
In Centreville, families on Cub Run Road frantically ran for cover when the sky suddenly turned black, followed by an eerie moment of silence before a tornado roared through the Pleasant Valley neighborhood.
"One house -- it's just gone," Kim Bradley said, her voice still quaking two hours after the twister touched down about 6 p.m. "You can see their furniture. It was very scary. We could see it coming out the kitchen window, and I just yelled at everyone, 'Get downstairs, now!' . . . My youngest became hysterical. She's 12. She's still down in the basement and won't come up."
Chain saw units, swift water rescue crews, state police and the National Guard were mobilized in Virginia, where Gov. Mark R. Warner (D) declared the third weather-related state of emergency in almost five weeks. By early evening, nine tornadoes had touched down in Virginia, Warner spokeswoman Ellen Qualls said, and 35 warnings had been issued across the state.
Warnings also were issued for Montgomery, Charles, Frederick and Prince George's counties in Maryland, and tornadoes were spotted in upper Montgomery and Frederick, officials said. There were no reports of severe damage.
Forecasters said that rainstorms probably would continue through this morning before tapering off this afternoon across the region but that no additional tornadoes were expected. The heaviest rain was forecast for southern Virginia, where flooding was possible. Last night, Route 50 was reported flooded between Interstate 66 and Waples Mill Road near Fairfax City, and high water was reported in parts of Prince William. Officials warned of flooding where it might not normally occur because of saturated ground. They also warned that downpours could cause mudslides in areas with steep terrain.
Yesterday's fearsome weather was the result of Hurricane Ivan breaking up and colliding over North Carolina with a cold front from the north, said Michael Sager, a meteorologist with AccuWeather. The cold air cut underneath the warm, tropical air from Ivan, pushing the unstable air skyward, increasing the likelihood of funnel clouds and tornadoes.
"Once it starts turning and gets stretched upward, it's like a figure skater pulling in her arms and the spinning gets faster and faster," Sager said.
The first tornado warning from the Weather Service came at 5:38 p.m. for Fairfax. It was followed in rapid succession by warnings for Prince William, Loudoun and Frederick. By 8 p.m., most of the region had had at least one tornado warning.
In Centreville, residents said they knew the tornado was coming, as television and radio stations went live with continuous updates.
