Power Outage in Washington, DC

The 911 call center received nearly two dozen calls for scattered tree, branch and power line damage throughout DC, including along Canal Road Northwest near Fletcher's Boathouse, and on 14th Street Northwest.

A large tree fell onto powerlines in the 3000 Block of Ordway Street Northwest.

A tree was blown down onto power lines at 43rd Street Northwest and Yuma Street Northwest.

There was a large tree down on power lines on Klingle Street NW at Foxhall Road NW.

Wind gusts were estimated at Reagan Airport. There were scattered trees down and power outages.

Hundreds of trees were down throughout the District. Over 30,000 people lost power. Several Row Houses received extensive damage and were deemed uninhabitable. Several trees fell onto single family homes and a few cars were crushed by fallen trees. Numerous roadways were blocked by downed trees.

Trees fell onto three houses as well as power lines on the 3800 block of 1st Street SE.

Snowfall totaled up to 21.0 inches near Anacostia. A snowfall report of 18.2 inches was also received from downtown Washington.||Power outages were reported across the city due to the weight of the snow.

Numerous trees and power lines were down around Mt. Ranier.

The Washington DC Department of Transportation reported numerous trees and power lines down across the District. Newspaper clippings reported that construction materials were blown off the roof of a building and struck a vehicle.

Numerous downed trees and power lines were reported across the District, including a large tree at the intersection of Eight Street and North Carolina Avenue in Northeast Washington.

Significant tree damage occurred in the Northwest and Northeast Quadrants due to a complex of severe thunderstorms moving through the area. Approximately 200 trees were downed. Approximately 18,000 power customers experienced outages. There were also several reports of fallen trees on cars, and a tree falling through the roof of a private house.

Trees down on power lines in Northwest.

Numerous trees and power lines were downed. A woman was injured when a tree fell onto her car.

Winds up to 76 MPH damaged several buildings, and downed numerous trees and power lines. Four people were injured.

Trees were downed onto a car, a home, a power line, and roads. A boy walking down a sidewalk on Morse Street NE was slightly injured by a downed tree.

Over 80 trees were downed onto roads, homes, cars, and power lines citywide. One tree fell onto a van, killing a 51-year-old man and injuring three others.

A weak tornado crossed the 14th Street Bridge from Arlington and moved northeast from the Tidal Basin to just northeast of the Capitol where it dissipated. At least 7 trees were downed and 1000 residents lost power.

A weak tornado crossed the 14th Street Bridge from Arlington and moved northeast from the Tidal Basin to just northeast of the Capitol where it dissipated. At least 7 trees were downed and 1000 residents lost power.

Trees and power lines were downed.

A period of damaging high gradient winds developed across the region in wake of a strong cold front, resulting in numerous downed trees and power lines.

Hurricane Irene tracked up the Mid-Atlantic Coast during the evening hours of the 27th through the early morning hours of the 28th. Irene passed by just to the east of Ocean City, Maryland during the early morning hours of the 28th. The minimum central pressure was 958 millibars and maximum sustained winds were 80 mph, making Irene a category one hurricane. Irene produced tropical storm conditions across Washington DC during the afternoon hours of the 27th and lasting into the early morning hours of the 28th. ||The highest rainfall total was 4.44 inches at the National Arboretum. Numerous trees and power lines were down causing an estimated 2.4 million dollars in damage.

A potent area of low pressure was located over the Tennessee Valley on the morning of Wednesday, January 26th. The warm front associated with the low triggered a period of mixed precipitation early Wednesday morning. There was enough warm air behind the warm front for precipitation to fall in the form of light rain and drizzle later in the morning into the afternoon. ||The low passed through the area late in the afternoon into the evening. A burst of heavier precipitation was associated with the low and at the same time colder air was drawn into the system. This caused a period of heavy snow to bring significant snow accumulation to the area in a short period of time. The heavy snow which fell around the evening rush hour caused numerous traffic accidents and there were also numerous power outages due to the heavy snow weighing on trees and power lines.

Tropical Storm Hanna tracked up the Mid-Atlantic coast on the 6th with maximum sustained winds around 50 mph. Hanna originally made landfall near the border of North and South Carolina around 3:20 AM on the 6th. Hanna tracked across eastern North Carolina during the early afternoon hours before turning northeast across southeastern Virginia later in the afternoon. Hanna eventually tracked across the Chesapeake Bay and into Delaware during the evening hours. With the track of Hanna being to the east, the strongest winds were also confined to our east. However, Hanna was still responsible for heavy rain. Rainfall amounts totaled around 4 to 8 inches across many locations in the city. Some roads were closed in the District due to flash flooding. Tropical Storm force winds were responsible for downed trees and power lines across Washington D.C. as well. The worst conditions occurred during the late morning and afternoon hours as the storm passed by just to the east.

A strong cold front moved through the Mid Atlantic states June 10th afternoon and evening. Cooler and drier air behind the front clashed with very warm and moist air ahead of it, resulting in scattered to numerous strong to severe thunderstorms. Storms that became severe brought down trees and power lines.

A cold front moved south across the Mid Atlantic on May 31st. Scattered to numerous showers and thunderstorms developed ahead of the cold front. Several of these storms became severe, producing damaging winds that downed trees and power lines in the District.

Low pressure crossed the Mid Atlantic March 8th, bringing a strong cold front through the region during the late afternoon and evening. This front triggered several strong to severe thunderstorms that produced large hail and gusty, damaging winds across the Washington Metro area. There were numerous reports of downed trees and power lines.

Gusty winds developed in the wake of a strong cold front that crossed the region February 10th. Wind gusts near 50 mph were measured near Washington DC. There were several reports of downed trees and power lines as well as power outages within the District.

A hot and humid air mass developed over the Mid Atlantic ahead of a strong cold front on August 25th. Temperatures climbed into the mid 90s by noon. These temperatures combined with high humidity created heat index values around 105. Showers and thunderstorms developed during the late afternoon as the cold front approached the region. Some of these storms became severe, producing damaging winds that downed trees and power lines.

A strong cold front pushed across the Mid Atlantic on the evening of June 8th. Ahead of the front, a warm and unstable airmass allowed scattered showers and thunderstorms to develop over northern Virginia and central Maryland. These storms pushed east over Washington DC during the late evening hours, downing power lines in the northwest portion of the District.

A Nor'Easter impacted the Mid Atlantic region on April 15th and 16th. Low pressure off the southeastern coast moved north along the Delmarva. Heavy rain spread north across the region early April 15th, causing flooding by the afternoon and evening. Winds increased as the low pressure area pushed north and intensified, downing trees and power lines across the District.

Very strong westerly winds occurred on the 28th due to the passage of a large low pressure system. Winds gusted as high as 45 mph in the District. 3000 customers were without power due to downed trees and powerlines in th District. Wet grounds from the recent rains also contributed to the downed trees and branches.

The remnants of Tropical Storm Ernesto brought strong winds and heavy rain to the District of Columbia. There were isolated reports of downed branches and powerlines in Washington due to the heavy rain and winds gusting as high as 45 mph.

A frontal boundary sagged south into the Mid Atlantic on July 2, and combined with very strong daytime heating and instability, contributed to scattered severe thunderstorm activity. Many locations throughout the metro area experienced wind damage from the severe thunderstorms. All of the damages were contributable to straight line winds. Newspaper reports indicated in excess of 100,000 customers without power in the Washington Metro Region.

A weak cold front settled over the forecast area from June 23 until June 27. Waves of low pressure rode northeast along the front. Flow in the atmosphere was parallel to the boundary, producing several rounds of training echoes. As a result, double digit rainfall totals affected parts of the region through the five days. There were also several rounds of severe weather with damaging winds and large hail during the period.A slow-moving line of thunderstorms fired along a tropical moisture plume and dumped between 4 and 7 inches of rain in Washington DC, causing extensive urban flooding on June 25 and June 26. Washington National Airport recorded more than 10 inches of rain, with new daily records being set both Sunday and Monday. Numerous roadways were flooded and/or closed, including some major arteries like the Capital Beltway near the Woodrow Wilson Bridge due to a mudslide. The IRS Building, National Archives, Department of Justice, and Environmental Protection Agency buildings were closed for the beginning of the workweek. Extensive power outages across the region occurred during this event. Major disruption of transportation was experienced June 26 due to the flooding. MARC Commuter rail experienced disruptions, Virginia Railway Express commuter rail did not operate, and flooding in underground tunnels forced much of the Washington Metro rail to close. At one point, 4 feet of water was reported in the 9th Street tunnel in DC. Rock Creek flooded, and threw several vehicles up against trees due to the fast flowing high flood waters. The National Park Service reported severe damages at Rock Creek Park at a level more severe than damages sustained during Hurricane Isabel in September, 2003. Severe erosion occurred along park roads and trails. Numerous trees were downed all around the park area. Many roads were closed for several days around the park.This storm significantly contributed to June 2006 being the wettest ever in Washington DC. The monthly rainfall total reached 14.02 inches at Reagan National Airport, much of that from this late June heavy rainfall event.Damage estimates for this weather event were estimated using information from the National Park Service, newspaper reports, and local Emergency Management officials.

A strong cold front brought very strong and gusty winds to the Mid-Atlantic on February 17. Wind gusts up to 50 mph occurred across the region. Scattered power outages occurred due to downed trees or powerlines.

A historic snowstorm occurred on February 11-12 across the Mid-Atlantic. Total snowfall was 8 to 9 inches across the District of Columbia. There were reports of downed powerlines and scattered outages due to the heavy snowfall. Total power outages were reported to be around 300,000 customers around the Washington/Baltimore region. Amtrak reported major delays and cancellations all along the northeast rail corridor, which passes through Baltimore and Washington, DC. There were also major delays at all 3 major hub airports in the region, Washington Dulles International, Washington Ronald Reagan National, and Baltimore/Washington Thurgood Marshall International.

A cold front moved across the District of Columbia and central Maryland, and triggered a large complex of showers and thunderstorms. Some of these thunderstorms reached severe limits. Significant power outages occurred, as well as tree damage and property damage.

A strong cold front pushed through the Mid Atlantic on Saturday, April 2nd. This front brought thunderstorms that downed trees and power lines as well as heavy downpours that flooded rivers, streams, and roadways.

A strong cold front moved through the region early on the 13th, leaving frigid temperatures and strong winds. Widespread damage due to downed trees and power lines were reported throughout the District of Columbia. Two men were injured when debris from a torn roof fell on them.

Hurricane Isabel shut down Washington, DC on Thursday September 18 and Friday September 19. The city had days of preparation and many people including non-emergency government personnel were told to stay home. Tropical storm force winds spread north into the area by 4 pm. Because air temperatures were cool (in the 60s) and the peak of the storm occurred near midnight, the real hurricane force winds were a few hundred feet up. Wind sensors on building tops recorded 70 to 85 mph hour winds. At the surface, winds were about half of that, but occasional strong gusts would mix down from above and damage trees and power lines. Winds began to subside falling below tropical storm by 4 am after the storm's passage west of the city, but remained gusty through the morning. Over 700 trees were blown down in the city with 23 falling on homes. The U.S. National Arboretum lost many mature trees. During the peak of the storm up to 129,000 customers lost power. As the storm's winds peaked near midnight with wind gusts of 55 to 65 mph from a more southerly direction, Isabel's storm surge began. Flooding began around midnight as water pushed up both the Potomac and the Anacostia Rivers. The surge crested around 5 am and receded below flood stage around 10 am with the southerly winds dying off. All flooding was tidal related since only two inches of rain fell across the district during the storm. The NWS gauge at Wisconsin Avenue measured 11.3 feet (MLW) at 5:15 am. This was 0.2 feet higher than the reading during the 1933 hurricane (however, sea level has risen since 1933 by at least this much). The NOS gauge at the pier in SW DC recorded a peak surge of 10.25 feet (MLLW) or 8.7 feet MSL at around 5 am. This was also higher than the 1933 storm. This makes Isabel the record tidal flood at these locations, but downstream freshwater flooding has caused higher river levels at each of these points. While sandbagging and other preparations mitigated against a lot of potential damage, damages were still high. At Naval District Washington along the Anacostia, marinas were damaged and cars left in low area garages were flooded. Some buildings were flooded. Coast Guard Headquarters had water come into several levels of the building causing serious damage. Other marinas water front properties and parks were damaged and had a lot of debris and cleanup to do. The U.S National Arboretum lost many of its 12,000 azaleas located along the bank of the Anacostia. Five people were rescued from cars in flood waters during the storm. Park Police had to close the roads around the tidal basin, the mall, and near Rock Creek. Total damages for the District are estimated to combine damages to private and public property which in this case includes a lot of federal property and National Park land.

Thunderstorms with high winds moved through the District during the evening rush hour on the 26th. The storms downed trees and power lines all over the city, including one which blocked Maryland Avenue. Another tree fell onto a car at the intersection of 17th Street and Olivet Road NE, injuring the driver. A 5 foot diameter oak tree was downed onto two cars and a house at Ingomar and 38th streets NW. A wind gust of 53 MPH was recorded at George Washington University. In addition, lightning struck a home on Kearney Street NE.

A thunderstorm with very heavy downpours and high winds moved through the District between 5:30 and 6:30 PM on the 12th. The hardest hit area was in the eastern portion of the city where a downburst of wind measured at 76 MPH damaged several structures and downed power lines and an estimated 800 trees. Nearly 18,000 customers in D.C. lost power as a direct result of the storm. The 76 MPH wind gust was recorded at Johnson Junior High School and a wind gust of 63 MPH was recorded at Charles Hart Middle School. An apartment complex on Morris Road SE sustained significant roof and window damage. Two people were injured and 25 people were displaced by the debris. A downed power line nearby caught three cars on fire. On Alabama Avenue SE, trees were felled onto houses. On Suitland Parkway and Staunton Road SE, a tree fell on a deck and trees blocked the road. At Seventh Street and Raleigh Place SE, a tree was felled onto a 2-story home and an elderly couple was trapped inside. On Jay Street NE, an apartment building roof and windows were damaged and several trees were downed. A 2 month old baby and a woman were injured. A total of 46 families were displaced by the damage. Very heavy downpours also caused Rhode Island Avenue to be closed by high water. In addition, power outages caused three pumping stations to shut down, leading to basement flooding in Northeast.

A strong cold front moved through the region around dawn on the 23rd. This front ushered in winds that gusted between 40 and 50 MPH. A wind gust of 50 MPH was recorded at Children's Hospital. Due to the soft saturated soil from heavy rains and snow melt, the gusty winds downed a few trees and power lines. A handful of power outages were reported.

A large area of high pressure sat off the Mid-Atlantic coast during the last week of July. This caused a warm and moist south wind to blow into the region for several days, resulting in another heat wave. The hottest days were the 28th and 29th of July when temperatures rose into the 90s and heat index values reached 100 to 110 degrees. Local power companies reported record electricity use on the 29th. City officials reported a number of heat-related medical emergency calls during the week.

A thunderstorm with high winds moved through the District around 4 PM EDT on the 6th. It caused 40 trees and 25 electrical wires to be downed, mainly across the northeast portion of the city. Four homes were damaged by fallen trees. The roof of an apartment building was also blown off. A wind gust of 48 MPH was recorded at Washington Reagan National Airport. Nearly 8000 customers lost power as a direct result of the storm.

A shower that moved through around 5 PM produced damaging wind gusts. At Children's Hospital, a gust of 56 MPH was recorded. A downed tree damaged the roof of a home on Warren Street in Tenleytown. Trees and power lines were downed onto Minnesota Avenue. A large tree that fell onto a car on Morse Street NE also slightly injured a boy who was walking down the sidewalk.

A thunderstorm with hail and high winds moved through the District of Columbia during the afternoon of the 19th. Winds gusted as high as 70 MPH and at least 82 trees were downed across the city. Most of the damage was reported in the northern sections of town. Trees fell onto power lines, 10 cars, 4 homes, and several roads. A large tree, which was believed to have been struck by lightning because the roots were charred, fell onto a vehicle that was traveling through the intersection of 12th and Shepard streets NE. A 51-year-old man in the back seat of the van was killed and three other passengers, one woman and two men, sustained minor injuries. Nearly 6000 customers lost power as a direct result of the storm.

A strong arctic cold front pushed through the region during the evening of the 21st. This front ushered in strong northwest winds that gusted as high as 58 MPH. The highest winds occurred between 6 PM and Midnight on the 21st, but gusty conditions continued through 4 AM on the 22nd. Minor structural damage was reported in isolated locations, in addition to downed trees and power lines. Up to 4000 customers across the District were without power for several hours. A fallen tree downed a power line which set two cars on fire at 14th and Tuckerman streets in Northwest. A wind gust of 52 MPH was recorded at Reagan Washington National Airport at 8:10 PM on the 21st. Children's Hospital recorded a wind gust of 58 MPH shortly after midnight on the 22nd.

A strong cold front pushed through the region during the afternoon of the 1st. For several hours after the front passed, northwest winds gusted between 35 and 50 MPH. The winds downed tree branches and wires in a few locations, resulting in isolated power outages. Wind gusts included 46 MPH at George Washington University and 44 MPH at Reagan Washington National Airport.

Showers and thunderstorms with very heavy downpours formed over the District for the 2nd straight day around 3 PM EDT and remained near stationary over all but far Southeast D.C. through 6 PM. These storms dumped between 5 and 7 inches of rain in less than three hours which caused the worst flash flooding the city had experienced since 1944. Damages to public and private property totaled around $6 million and the city was given a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration. The hardest hit areas were along Rhode Island Avenue between 2nd and 5th Streets NE and along U Street between 11th and 14th Streets. Over 3300 homes and private businesses requested assistance for flood damage. Few victims that reported damage to their homes had flood insurance and 90% were low income. Over 8000 customers in a 35-block area around Dupont Circle lost power for more than 24 hours. Numerous residents reported damage when sewers backed up into their homes and businesses through toilets and sinks. The American Red Cross served nearly 45,000 meals to flood victims and housed 6 displaced families. The city government noted significant flood damage to 30 schools, 6 hospitals, 7 libraries, Rock Creek Park, countless roads, and much of the 130-year-old sewer infrastructure. Water seeping into wires in the sewer system cause manhole covers to explode. A sewer line in a parking lot near the intersection of MacArthur Boulevard and 48th Place NW ruptured, opening a 20-foot-wide and 25-foot-deep sinkhole which swallowed an unoccupied car. A series of pumping stations were damaged from ingestion of flood debris. Several motorists were stranded by high water. Areas along Rock Creek saw mud slides and more than two dozen downed trees. Rock Creek Parkway was closed by debris between Virginia and Cathedral Avenue. A car on Broad Branch Road stalled in flood waters from Rock Creek. A man and his pregnant wife were partially swept downstream while trying to exit the vehicle. Both people were rescued by another motorist and were treated for minor injuries. The bridges across Broad Branch Road and Beech Drive NW were damaged by rushing water. A mudslide on Macomb Street NW pushed a house 12 feet off its foundation. The Metro subway system received $1 million damage to rolling stock and escalators as a result of flooding in underground stations. Two stations which had flooding on the mezzanine and platform levels had to remain closed until the flood waters receded. A rain gauge at Quebec Street NW with a capacity of 7.25 inches overflowed during the 3 hour deluge. Additional rainfall totals included 6.24 inches at Dupont Circle, 5.53 inches a mile from Dupont Circle, and 5.36 inches at Dalecarlia Reservoir.

A thunderstorm that produced winds in excess of 55 MPH, frequent lightning, and heavy rainfall moved across the District between 6:30 and 8:00 PM EDT on the 22nd. High winds downed a tree and a few power lines across the city. Heavy downpours temporarily flooded the Frederick Douglas Bridge. Rainfall totals ranged from 1.2 inches across Southeast D.C. to 2.9 inches across Northwest D.C.

A Nor'easter moved from the North Carolina coast to New England from the 20th to the 22nd. As it passed by the Mid Atlantic region, it dropped 1.5 inches of rain between midnight and mid afternoon on the 21st. After the precipitation ended, northwest winds gusted up to 45 MPH. A wind gust of 44 MPH was recorded at Washington Reagan National Airport and a gust of 42 MPH was reported downtown. The high winds downed several trees. One tree fell onto a passing car on Blagden Avenue NW, damaging the car extensively and giving the driver a bump on the head. Another tree fell onto a truck on Massachusetts Avenue, causing major damage to the front of the vehicle. The driver and passenger sustained neck injuries. Another car on Massachusetts Avenue ran into the downed tree head-on but the three occupants were not injured. Two houses on Brandywine Street NW were damaged by felled trees and power lines were downed.

A thunderstorm which produced winds in excess of 55 MPH and large hail moved across the District between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM EDT on the 7th. In Southeast, 256 trees were downed onto roads, cars, buildings, and phone and power poles. Where trees were uprooted, sewer lines, large piles of earth, and concrete were also pulled up. In Southwest , trees were downed onto cars at Arena Stage on Main Avenue. In Northeast, over 100 trees were downed in a swath from Benning Road to the Maryland border. Nearly 16,000 city customers lost power after over 100 wires were downed by trees. Quarter sized hail fell on Capitol Hill and Northeast. Half dollar sized hail fell in Southeast and pea sized hail was reported in Southwest. A wind gust of 45 MPH and dime sized hail was observed at Washington National Airport.

A vigorous cold front moved across the Washington D.C. metropolitan area around midday on the 13th. Winds in excess of 55 MPH reached the ground after the front moved through. High winds downed a tree onto a car and a home in the District, resulting in significant damage. Over 4300 customers lost power during the afternoon after tree limbs fell onto power lines. A wind gust of 55 MPH was recorded at Washington Reagan National Airport and a spotter estimated winds of over 50 MPH in the District.