Community Corner

(Updated) Tornado Warning Expired, Flash Flood Warning in Effect for Carroll County

The State Highway Administration is also urging drivers to use "extreme caution" during the rush hour drive home Friday night.

This story was updated at 5:35 p.m.

Carroll County Public Schools officially dismissed at 4:15 but all evening activities are canceled for Friday, June 1. Check the Carroll County Public Schools website for updates. 

The National Weather Service's 5 p.m. tornado warning for northeastern Carroll County and northeastern Baltimore County has expired, but officials have now issued a flash flood warning until 6:15 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Eldersburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

"At 4:35 p.m., local law enforcement officials reported several roads closed due to flash flooding over the warned area. Although there has been a break in rainfall, additional thunderstorms are moving in from the southwest. This activity will continue the threat for flash flooding.

"Locations in the warning include but are not limited to Westminster, Taneytown and Manchester," the message states.

Find out what's happening in Eldersburgwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The National Weather Service provided the following outlook for tonight and tomorrow:

Friday, late afternoon "Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, and heavy rain. High near 80. Breezy, with a southeast wind around 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms." Friday night "Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 1am, then a chance of showers. Some storms could be severe, with large hail, damaging winds, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Low around 56. South wind between 9 and 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New rainfall amounts between 1 and 2 inches possible." Saturday "Patchy fog before 9am. Otherwise, mostly sunny, with a high near 76. West wind between 8 and 14 mph."

 

Whenever a tornado warning is in effect, weather officials advise residents to:

  •     Take cover
  •     Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.
  •     If you are in a mobile home or vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

This story was updated at 4:17 p.m.

A tornado warning in southeastern Carroll County was lifted at 4:15 p.m., but the area remains under the threat of severe weather.

A flash flood warning remains in effect for southeastern Carroll County until 7 pm., and a tornado watch for the area is in effect until 9 p.m. 

The State Highway Administration is also urging drivers to use “extreme caution” during the rush hour drive home Friday night. 

“These storms could bring down trees or tree limbs, flood roads, cause power lines to fall and create traffic signal outages,” SHA officials wrote in a press release Friday.  

Here are some severe weather tips from SHA:

•       Drivers should not drive through standing water.  “Turn around Don't Drown;”

•       High winds may cause downed trees and power lines (don’t go near sparking wires)


•       Use low-beam headlights when wipers are in operation

•       Delay trips during severe weather

•       Remember to buckle up.

SHA recommends that all highway users to call 511 (1-855-GO-MD511) or go to www.md511.org for the latest real-time travel information.

This story below updated at 3:52 p.m.

At 2:53 p.m., the National Weather Service Doppler radar “indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado…” the Weather Service reported.

The tornado may be “wrapped in rain and hard to see,” weather officials said. “Do not wait to see or hear tornado. Take cover now.”

Carroll County school officials are holding students until the tornado warning has lifted, according to the school website. School officials said they will notify parents as conditions improve.

Weather officials advise residents to:

  •     Take cover
  •     Move to an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building and avoid windows.
  •     If you are in a mobile home or vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris.

WBAL Weather is reporting that Carroll County school buses are being held at schools to avoid the storm. WBAL also just reported that Howard County is sending out email alerts about dismissal as well.

- With reporting from Penny Riordan, Kym Byrnes and Diana Soliwon.


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