A severe thunderstorm on July 1 produced a tornado that tore through St. Mary’s County, causing tree and property damage, according to the National Weather Service.
The tornado first touched down near the Breton Bay Community Dock around 7:45 p.m., about 3 miles southwest of Leonardtown, NWS weather experts said. The storm uprooted two pine trees before continuing northeast along Lake Drive, Breton View Drive and Breton View Court.
Along this path, numerous trees were snapped, topped or severely damaged, including a sycamore tree 3 feet in diameter that was uprooted in winds estimated at 90 mph, according to the NWS. Minor roof damage was reported to at least one residence, with shingles ripped from the roof decking.
As the tornado moved along the shoreline, it briefly became a waterspout over the coves of Breton Bay before returning to land near Paw Paw Point. The twister flipped several boats from their docks. This damage led meteorologists to estimate the tornado’s peak winds at 100 mph.
Video footage of the waterspout and photos of the destruction at Paw Paw Point were reviewed and verified by the NWS. No injuries were reported.
The tornado, classified as EF1, which means winds between 86 and 110 mph, lifted shortly after striking the point. A storm survey at Mulberry Point, northeast of the tornado’s path, found no further damage.
After the tornado dissipated just west of Maryland Route 5, radar indicated that the system evolved into a rear flank downdraft, producing straight-line wind damage in areas east of the highway. Scattered damage was reported from the Patuxent River to areas near Naval Air Station Patuxent River, according to the NWS.
St. Mary’s County has had 33 confirmed tornadoes since 1950, according to Tornado Path, which provides tornado warning information for communities across the United States.
“Tornadoes have occurred in St. Mary’s County in the past and can be expected to occur again in the future,” county government officials said in a statement. “Tornadoes often result in buildings with missing roofs, uprooted road signs, fallen powerlines and trees, destroyed homes and water towers, and damaged cars.”
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