Staff Reporter
Fierce storms ripped through the Washington, D.C., region Thursday night, leaving behind a trail of wreckage—crushing homes, cars, and power lines. As trees fell like dominoes and winds roared past 60 mph, neighborhoods plunged into darkness. Over 15,000 homes in Fairfax lost power, while parts of Arlington, Alexandria, and D.C. faced severe disruption. Fires, blocked highways, and even a building collapse added to the overnight chaos. Though no major injuries were reported, the capital’s calm turned into confusion—reminding all how nature can suddenly turn grand cities into fragile silence.
🔹 STORY HIGHLIGHTS 🔹
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Widespread power outages affect thousands across the D.C. metro
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Trees crush homes, vehicles; some roads completely blocked
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61 mph wind recorded at Reagan Airport, 66 mph at Dulles
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No major injuries, but dramatic near-misses and property damage reported
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MARC’s Brunswick Line suspended; other transit lines disrupted
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Fires sparked by downed trees and power lines
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Calm weather expected Friday before upcoming heat wave
What began as a typical Thursday evening in the nation’s capital quickly turned into a scene of widespread destruction as violent thunderstorms swept across the D.C. metro region. With winds reaching speeds of over 60 miles per hour, the storms left a trail of chaos—toppling massive trees, crushing homes and cars, sparking fires, and plunging neighbourhoods into darkness.
While no major injuries were reported, the aftermath has been dramatic, and the cleanup is expected to take days. From Arlington to Bethesda, from Georgetown to Capitol Hill, residents woke to scenes more reminiscent of a natural disaster than a summer storm.
Power Grid Stretched Thin as Trees Rip Through Infrastructure
By Friday noon, Dominion Energy reported over 15,000 customers—mostly in Fairfax County—still without electricity. Pepco added to the count, citing over 3,000 outages in Montgomery County, nearly 500 in Prince George’s County, and close to 900 in the District itself.
Crews from both utility companies have been working nonstop to restore service. Fallen trees, snapped power lines, and debris have blocked access to critical repair points in many neighborhoods, complicating the efforts.
In Arlington, where one of the more severe incidents occurred, a towering tree—believed to be around 80 years old—split and collapsed onto a nearby house. The tree struck the portion of the home where a 90-year-old woman usually sits. Miraculously, she had stepped away just in time. Neighbors rushed to help, moving her to a safer location and contacting her family. “This is a close-knit area,” a local resident said. “Even in the middle of the storm, we made sure no one was left behind.”
Bethesda Fire Sparks as Lightning Brings Down Trees
Over in Bethesda, Kevin Vigneault experienced a terrifying moment while driving his daughter and her friends home from a canceled swim practice. “Lightning hit a tree. Tree fell across the street, hit a couple other cars, took down some power lines,” he recalled.
Trapped by fallen limbs, Vigneault guided the children into a nearby house where construction workers were on-site. Just minutes later, the truck they had abandoned burst into flames. “It lit up—just like that,” he said. The blaze consumed the vehicle as rain continued to pour.
Barbara Verangis, another Bethesda resident, watched in disbelief as trees with trunks as wide as a car collapsed during the storm. “There was no big thud, just a crunch,” she said. “They fell like matchsticks—onto cars, fences, everything.”
Toll Roads Blocked, University Entrances Closed, and Emergency Response Deployed
In Northern Virginia, the Dulles Toll Road saw major disruptions as two large trees fell onto the highway near Idylwood Road. One tree stretched across both lanes and damaged at least two cars. Although no injuries occurred, debris and split tree trunks forced bystanders to get out of their vehicles and attempt to clear the way themselves.
In D.C., Georgetown University reported that entrances on Canal Road and Prospect Street were blocked due to fallen trees. Access to the campus was diverted through Reservoir Road.
Firefighters and K-9 units responded to a building collapse in Northeast D.C., near 19th and H Street. Though the structure was compromised, officials confirmed that no one was trapped. On Capitol Hill, a car was completely crushed by a falling tree.
“I was just making dinner,” said resident Aisha Soofi. “Had my headphones in, and then I saw the porch chairs start shaking. I looked out and saw the tree hit my neighbor’s house—right as I was watching YouTube.”
Community Spirit Amid Urban Chaos
Despite the widespread destruction, many residents spoke of the solidarity and community spirit they witnessed during the storm. In Arlington, neighbors checked in on each other, while in Bethesda, construction workers opened their doors to strangers seeking shelter.
“This is D.C.,” said one resident. “People may think it’s all politics and fast living, but when it matters, we look out for one another.”
A Temporary Calm Before the Heat Sets In
According to Storm Team4 meteorologist Ryan Miller, residents can expect a temporary reprieve. Friday’s weather is forecasted to be calm with sunshine and lower humidity. However, a heat wave looms ahead, with temperatures expected to soar into the 90s in the coming days.
While power crews continue their urgent restoration efforts, residents are advised to remain cautious, avoid downed wires, and check in on vulnerable neighbors as clean-up efforts continue.
The storm may have passed, but for many, the recovery has just begun.
The powerful storms that swept through the D.C. area left a city shaken but standing. While fallen trees, fires, and widespread power outages disrupted daily life and tested emergency response systems, the absence of serious injuries brought relief amid the chaos. As cleanup efforts continue and power is gradually restored, the storm serves as a sharp reminder of nature’s force and the fragile balance of urban infrastructure. Washington may have gone dark for a moment, but its resilience shines through the wreckage.
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