Storm Leaves Thousands Without Power

Thousands of people were without electric power this morning, the result of a line of violent thunderstorms that rolled through the area shortly after dawn, flooding roads and rattling windows across the region.

Dominion Virginia Power had about 4,400 customers without power in Arlington, Alexandria, Falls Church, and Mclean, mostly because of lightning strikes that blew out fuses across the area, said spokeswoman Le-Ha Anderson. She said power to many customers should be restored during the day, but that some could still be without service into tonight.

PEPCO reported that it had about 3,600 customers without power earlier today, but that number was quickly reduced to 300 -- 160 in Montgomery County, and the rest in the District and Prince George's County. Baltimore Gas and Electric's 2,200 outages were reduced to about 480 by midmorning, the Maryland utility reported.

Although officials reported minimal street flooding, the storm temporarily closed Dalecarlia Parkway in the District. It was reopened by midmorning.

The National Weather Service said the intensity of the storms varied, with some places getting just a little rain, while spots like the Dalecarlia Reservoir got 1.22 inches in about 40 minutes. Meteorologist Chris Strong said more severe storms are possible this afternoon and tonight.