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Twisting Waterspout Spins Off Maryland Coast Near Assateague Caught On Camera (VIDEO) Twisting Waterspout Spins Off Maryland Coast Near Assateague Caught On Camera (VIDEO)
Twisting Waterspout Spins Off Maryland Coast Near Assateague Caught On Camera (Video) A twisting funnel rising from the ocean gave beachgoers an unexpected show off the Maryland coast. The waterspout was spotted offshore near Assateague State Park, where a Maryland Department of Natural Resources technician captured the rare sight while working along the dunes. Photos and video show the narrow column stretching from a dark cloud down to the water, kicking up spray as it moved across the ocean. Others shared their experiences on Facebook. Officials say the system stayed over the water and moved away from shore, meaning there was no threat to people on the beach. Wate…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Maryland High Court Rejects Climate Lawsuits Against Oil Giants In Major Blow To Cities Maryland High Court Rejects Climate Lawsuits Against Oil Giants In Major Blow To Cities
Maryland High Court Rejects Climate Lawsuits Against Oil Giants In Major Blow To Cities Maryland’s highest court just handed a major win to Big Oil — and a big setback to Baltimore, Annapolis, and Anne Arundel counties. In a sweeping decision filed March 24, the Supreme Court of Maryland ruled that local governments cannot sue energy companies for climate change damages, shutting down years-long efforts to make them pay for flooding, rising seas, and extreme weather. The ruling centers on a hard truth the court didn’t dance around: climate change isn’t local. Judges found that greenhouse gas emissions — and the damage tied to them — cross state lines and international borders…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
EF1 Tornado Confirmed In Maryland After Violent Storms Slam Eastern Shore EF1 Tornado Confirmed In Maryland After Violent Storms Slam Eastern Shore
EF1 Tornado Confirmed In Maryland After Violent Storms Slam Eastern Shore The National Weather Service has confirmed a tornado touched down on the Eastern Shore after storms tore through the region, leaving behind damage and dangerous winds. The tornado touched down in Caroline County, with Ridgely taking a direct hit as survey teams found evidence of an EF1 tornado packing winds up to 100 mph. That wasn’t the only damage. As the storm pushed across the Shore, it unleashed a wide swath of straight-line winds stretching from Sudlersville to Millington, strong enough to snap limbs, knock down trees, and cause damage even without rotation. Those winds were clocked…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Tornado Watch Issued Across Maryland, DC, Virginia As Dangerous Storms Move In Tornado Watch Issued Across Maryland, DC, Virginia As Dangerous Storms Move In
Tornado Watch Issued Across Maryland, DC, Virginia As Dangerous Storms Move In The dangerous storm system forecasters warned about all weekend is now unfolding across the DMV. A Tornado Watch has been issued for the region until 7 p.m. on Monday, March 16, putting millions of residents across the DMV on alert as a volatile line of severe storms pushes toward the East Coast. The watch covers much of Maryland, Northern Virginia, and the District, where meteorologists say the atmosphere is primed for severe thunderstorms capable of producing tornadoes and destructive winds. A tornado watch has been issued for parts of District of Columbia, Maryland, North Carolina, V…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Rare Level 4 Severe Weather Risk Issued For Maryland With Tornadoes, 80 MPH Winds Possible Rare Level 4 Severe Weather Risk Issued For Maryland With Tornadoes, 80 MPH Winds Possible
Rare Level 4 Severe Weather Risk Issued For Maryland With Tornadoes, 80 MPH Winds Possible A rare and potentially dangerous storm system is barreling toward the DMV as forecasters say the region could be facing tornadoes, destructive winds, and widespread power outages by Monday afternoon. The National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center have placed the DC metro area under a Level 4 out of 5 “Moderate Risk” for severe weather — a designation rarely issued for the region and one that signals widespread severe storms are possible. The last time the area saw a similar risk level was more than two years ago, according to meteorologists tracking the system. Here are o…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Brief EF-1 Tornado Touches Down In Maryland During Thursday Storms Brief EF-1 Tornado Touches Down In Maryland During Thursday Storms
Brief EF-1 Tornado Touches Down In Maryland During Thursday Storms A brief but powerful tornado touched down in Maryland earlier during Thursday's storms, the National Weather Service confirmed after surveying storm damage in Howard County. The EF-1 tornado struck Cooksville on March 11, between 7:06 p.m. and 7:07 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. Investigators say the tornado packed estimated peak winds of 90 mph as it carved a 0.4-mile path through the area near Old Frederick Road. National Weather Service The storm reached a maximum width of about 100 yards, snapping and uprooting numerous trees along its narrow track, officials said. …

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by Zak Failla
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Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Dates Announced In DC As America Prepares For 250th Anniversary Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Dates Announced In DC As America Prepares For 250th Anniversary
Cherry Blossom Peak Bloom Dates Announced In DC As America Prepares For 250th Anniversary Spring in the nation's capital is about to put on its most famous show again. The National Park Service announced that the iconic cherry blossoms around the Tidal Basin and National Mall in DC are projected to reach peak bloom between March 29 and April 1, depending on weather conditions. "Peak Bloom is defined as the period of time when 70 percent of the Yoshino cherry blossoms -the most common variety- are open, creating gorgeous clouds of white and pink flowers floating around the Tidal Basin," officials said. Once peak bloom begins, the blossoms typically stay on the trees for seven to…

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by Zak Failla
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Winter Storm Sends Tree Through Virginia Home As Family Faces 10-Month Displacement Winter Storm Sends Tree Through Virginia Home As Family Faces 10-Month Displacement
Winter Storm Sends Tree Through Virginia Home As Family Faces 10-Month Displacement A massive tree crashed through a Virginia home during the latest round of winter weather, leaving a family of five out in the cold for months.  The Wendle family's Mantua home in Fairfax County was struck by the tree on Sunday, Feb. 22, according to neighbor Kate Janich, who said it could be as long as 10 months before they can return to the residence. The Wendle family. GoFundMe The tree caused significant damage to the home and the family’s car, rendering the house uninhabitable. “On Sunday evening, during the snowstorm, a large tree fell onto the Wendle family’s house, caus…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Snow Totals So Far: Where Maryland Got Buried — And Where It Didn’t Snow Totals So Far: Where Maryland Got Buried — And Where It Didn’t
Snow Totals So Far: Where Maryland Got Buried — And Where It Didn’t If you blinked during Sunday’s storm, you might’ve missed it. Unless you live in the parts of Maryland that got absolutely smoked. Unofficial totals released by the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington on Monday morning, Feb. 23, show a classic DMV snow split — with Washington County cashing in and the DC core doing what it does best: flirting with winter. The biggest number on the board came from Sabillasville in Washington County, where 12.3 inches was reported. Frederick County also cracked double digits, with Cavetown logging 10 inches. Cecil County wasn’t playing either, wi…

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by Zak Failla
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Winter Storm Watch Issued For DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia As 5+ Inches Of Snow Possible Winter Storm Watch Issued For DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia As 5+ Inches Of Snow Possible
Winter Storm Watch Issued For DC, Maryland, Northern Virginia As 5+ Inches Of Snow Possible Winter is here. Again. DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia are under a Winter Storm Watch as forecasters warn a rapidly intensifying coastal storm could dump five or more inches of snow and bring strong winds to the region on Sunday into Monday. The National Weather Service has expanded the watch to include the DC Metro area as confidence grows that an “impactful winter storm” will target the Mid-Atlantic late Sunday through early Monday. Heavy snow is possible beginning Sunday afternoon, with the heaviest bands likely Sunday night into early Monday morning. Total snow accumulations of fi…

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by Zak Failla
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Duo’s Midnight Polar Plunge In Flooded Poolesville Creek Ends With Icy 911 Rescue (PHOTOS) Duo’s Midnight Polar Plunge In Flooded Poolesville Creek Ends With Icy 911 Rescue (PHOTOS)
Duo’s Midnight Polar Plunge In Flooded Poolesville Creek Ends With Icy 911 Rescue (Photos) Two people spent hours stranded in a flooded creek in Maryland during an Extreme Cold Alert before finally calling 911 for help early Monday morning. A vehicle drove into approximately two feet of standing flood water near Hunting Quarter Road and River Road in Poolesville around 3 a.m. on Monday, February 16, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service officials. The single vehicle became disabled in a flooded creek and wetland area between River Road and Hughes Road, officials said. Authorities say the two occupants attempted to rescue themselves for several hours after the ca…

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by Zak Failla
Weather
Hell Of A Collapse: Snow Destroys Church Roof, Triggers Emergency Response (PHOTOS) Hell Of A Collapse: Snow Destroys Church Roof, Triggers Emergency Response (PHOTOS)
Hell Of A Collapse: Snow Destroys Church Roof, Triggers Emergency Response (Photos) A church in Virginia narrowly avoided disaster when part of its roof collapsed under the strain of winter weather, forcing emergency crews to shut down a busy road and declare the building unsafe. Fairfax County Fire and Rescue crews were called just before 5:20 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 2, to the 8700 block of Cooper Road after reports that the roof of a two-story building had blown off, and a second-floor wall appeared ready to fail, officials said. The building was identified as St. George Tigrai Orthodox Tewahdo Church, a longtime fixture in the Mount Vernon area. “When crews arrived, they …

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by Zak Failla