Small EF-0 Tornado hits Waldorf

April 20, 1400 hours
reported by Fire 3 PIO/Lt. Jeff Duer

Sunday April 20th approximately 1351hours Volunteers were alerted for the tree on a house in the Sentry Woods development. Units arrived to find numerous trees down, blocking roads and some trees on houses. Charles County communications was receiving numerous calls for storm related incidents in the immediate area. Chief 3B (Mills) arrived to the neighboring area assessing damage to townhomes in the Northgate Community and the Lakewood Sub-division. Chief 3B notified communications it appears a possible tornado had hit the area. Charles County Emergency Management was notified along with the National Weather Service. Approximately 30 homes were affected with damage from this weather event. The path was estimated to be 100 yards wide and approx. 1.3 miles long. The National Weather Service in Sterling, Virginia has evaluated the damage and classified it as an EF-0 tornado (winds 65-80mph) based on the Enhanced Fujita Scale employed in 2007. There were no reported injuries. Damage estimated to be $2,000,000.

Thanks to Charles County Truck 11 and P.G.C.O. Tower 824 for their assistance.

Units on scene: RS-3, E- 34, E-124, B-3, V-3, CMD-3,Trk 11, P.G.C.O. Twr. 824, EMS units from 3 and County Emergency Management, Charles County Sheriff's Office, SMECO.