Powerful Storms Destroy Buildings, Cut Power to Thousands

Kaine Declares State of Emergency in Va.

RICHMOND, March 5 -- Gov. Timothy M. Kaine declared a state of emergency Wednesday after a series of storms, including a possible tornado, destroyed nine buildings and damaged 50 others in central and southwestern Virginia and in the Northern Neck.

Several thousand residents in Maryland and Virginia lost power after rain and wind swept through the region late Tuesday and early Wednesday. Utilities reported that most power was restored by Wednesday evening. But outages led three schools to close for the day in Anne Arundel County: Piney Orchard Elementary and Waugh Chapel Elementary in Odenton, and Folger McKinsey Elementary in Severna Park.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police warned against recreational boating on the Potomac River between Cumberland and Little Falls in Montgomery County. Heavy rain upstream had made the river fast-moving and turbulent, police said. The warning, which police said does not apply to professionally guided river trips or experienced whitewater paddlers, will extend at least until Friday.

Virginia officials said that storms damaged property in Louisa and Caroline counties in the central region, Essex County in the Northern Neck and Wise County in the southwest.

Keith Lynch of the National Weather Service said survey teams were dispatched to Louisa and Caroline counties to examine the damage for signs that a tornado had touched down. Lynch said the Weather Service received reports of numerous trees that had toppled or snapped. It also had reports of considerable roof damage across parts of central Virginia.

The storms, which included heavy rain and 60 mph gusts, were caused by a strong cold front that swept across the region. The emergency declaration allowed Kaine (D) to immediately deploy state personnel, equipment and other resources. Agencies assisting include the Virginia departments of Corrections, Emergency Management, Forestry and Transportation, and the Virginia State Police.

Staff writers Megan Greenwell and David A. Fahrenthold contributed to this report.