Severe storms brought damaging winds, hail and flash flooding to the Baltimore region early Tuesday afternoon, and threats of more bad weather are forecast through the evening.
A flash flood warning is in effect until 9 p.m., with up to 2 inches of rain inundating storm drains and streams. Motorists are urged not to cross flooded roads because they could become stranded.
A severe thunderstorm watch is in place until 9 p.m.
The storms caused more than 38,000 power outages across the region, according to Baltimore Gas and Electric Co., more than 21,000 of them in Howard County.
Early reports to the National Weather Service indicated quarter-sized hail in Severn, dime-sized hail in Ellicott City and a 62 mph wind gust at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.
A severe thunderstorm warning was issued across the Interstate 95 corridor, covering parts of Howard, Carroll, Anne Arundel and Baltimore counties and all of Baltimore City.
A tornado warning was issued from about 1:45 until 2 p.m. along the Interstate 70 corridor in Howard and southwestern Baltimore counties, from Sykesville to the Columbia, Jessup, Catonsville and Ellicott City areas. A warning means that radar indicates a possible tornado; residents in its path are urged to seek shelter and keep away from windows.
The storms come as a cold front moves through the region, bringing some relief from several days of 90-degree heat since Sunday.