Hail, Winds Knock Out Power, Down Trees

Hailstones pelted parts of the Washington region last night, as thunderstorms brought drenching rain in spots and knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses.

Early reports indicated that the most severe damage occurred in Page County, Va., west of Shenandoah National Park. The storm tore siding from several houses, and a fallen tree caused heavy damage to a mobile home, according to the National Weather Service.

Allen Cubbage of the town of Stanley, in Page, said a barn owned by his mother-in-law collapsed and was a "total loss."

The intensity of the storm appeared to be at its peak in western and southern sections of the region. A wind gust of almost 60 mph was reported in Rappahannock County, Va., and hailstones the size of quarters were reported in Opal, in Fauquier County. Hailstones of equal size were reported in Prince William County and were only a little smaller in Calvert County.

Trees were downed in St. Mary's County and northeast of Fort Belvoir, where a downpour brought 1.2 inches of rain.