Storm Smacks Brentwood, Mt. Rainier

In Northeast Washington, several trees and wires were reported down near Taylor and Varnum streets, LaSorsa said.

At 10:30 p.m., Pepco reported that about 4,300 customers were without power.

Montgomery County police spokesman Rodney Barnes said police responded to several reports of fallen power lines and trees blocking roads. Downed wires also forced the closure of Wightman Road as police waited for Pepco crews to respond.

Montgomery County officials reported tree branches and power lines down, which blocked part of the intersection at Seven Locks Road and Bradley Boulevard in Bethesda.

"We had some pretty intense cells roll through, but I don't think it was anything too extraordinary," said Pete Piringer, a spokesman for the Montgomery Fire and Rescue Service.

In the Olney area, a tree blew into a gas meter near a barn, causing a minor gas leak in the 18000 block of Cashell Road, he said. It took about 30 minutes to shut off the gas.

In Prince George's, southwest of College Park, several trees were felled, LaSorsa said.

In Mount Rainier, Mario Galarza, 63, said a tree in his back yard fell and ruined a trailer.

"I told my wife it's getting dark," he said. He was watching television and went to the window when he heard the storm brewing outside. "At first, it looked like it was a cloud. Then it started to become like a funnel. Then the wind came by. It lasted 15 seconds."

Yesterday evening, the displaced Romeros were unsure about where they would sleep as they sought to cram as much as they could into their van.

"It's a lot of pain for me and my kids," Romero said, "but it'll be okay."

Staff writer Clarence Williams contributed to this report.