SALISBURY, Md. – As severe weather swept through parts of the mid-Atlantic Thursday, shocking video captured a waterspout hitting a small island in Maryland.
Smith Island residents shared footage of the waterspout and images of possible tornado damage on social media. ABC local affiliate WMDT reported that one waterspout came ashore as a tornado, with Somerset County Sheriff’s Office confirming one injury to the outlet.
In a tweet Thursday night, Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said Somerset County reported a “waterspout landed onshore, causing significant damage on Smith Island.” Hogan added there were more than 50,000 power outages across the state.
The National Weather Service had issued a severe weather statement for the area earlier, warning of possible wind at 45 mph and hail.
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Smith Island is a remote island that can only be accessed by boat or helicopter. The archipelago, home to about 260 people, consists of three distinct communities: Tylerton, Rhodes Point and Ewell.
In DC:Wisconsin couple dies after lightning strike near White House; 2 others in critical condition
In Washington D.C., a couple – James Mueller, 76, and Donna Mueller, 75 – died and two others were in critical condition when lightning struck near the White House during storms Thursday, Brianna Burch, spokesperson for the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department, told USA TODAY.
Contributing: Christine Fernando, Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY.
