Ferocious Winds Knock Out Power, Down Trees

By Ashley Halsey III, Christopher Twarowski

Originally published at 9:21 a.m., February 12, 2009
Updated at 2:29 p.m., February 12, 2009

Winds descended with near hurricane-force ferocity before dawn today, bringing down trees, rattling roofs and cutting off electricity to thousands of customers across the region.

Weather forecasters said they would continue to howl until about midnight before giving way to a blustery but more normal day on Friday. The gusts could get up to 60 mph.

In Northern Virginia, Old Dominion power company said more than 4,500 customers were powerless in early afternoon, down from a total of 12,200 earlier in the day.

Though Wednesday was a windy day, the first mega-gusts arrived after 4 a.m. today. A 65-mile per hour gust was recorded in Rockville, Reagan National Airport reported a 51-mph wallop and Frederick clocked one at 62 mph. Six hours later, the District felt a 52 mph blast and Reston recorded 47 mph.

"I think we'll continue to see some strong gusts through midnight," said Jackie Hale of the National Weather Service.

And by the time Friday's bluster subsides, the regions flirtation with spring weather will be over.

"Saturday, winter kind of returns," Hale lamented. Temperatures will drop into the 30s and rain is on its way.

Loudoun County Sheriff's Office spokesman Kraig Troxell said police have been responding to calls of trees falling down due to the winds since about 8 p.m. last night.

Troxell said most of the downed trees have fallen on secondary roads, but that around 9 a.m. today a fallen tree blocked part of Route 9. There were also two cases of trees falling on utility lines earlier today, he said.

All roads have since been cleared and there have been no reports of damage to property. His office is still receiving calls.

Fairfax County police spokeswoman Mary Ann Jennings said that police responded to scattered intersections overnight where traffic lights had lost power due to the wind. Jennings said generators were set at the intersections until power was restored. She said there have been no reports of damage today so far.

Tagged: National Weather Service, weather

Your Thoughts...

Are you happy that the school year is over?