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Severe thunderstorm warning hits D.C. area, knocks out power

9/4/2026

13 1 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Arlington, Virginia on Thursday, 11:20 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. EDT.
Radar recorded 60 mph gusts over Centreville at 11:20 p.m. EDT.
The storm left nearly 150,000 residents in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia without power.
Prince George's County Public Schools closed because of storm damage.
Firefighters rescued a boy trapped after a tree fell in Prince George's County.

History

Historical Context

The March 12-13, 1993 Storm of the Century, a Gulf-origin nor’easter, knocked out power to more than 10 million households and set low-pressure records. Its unprecedented NWS forecasts showed the region’s wind vulnerability. Today’s Arlington thunderstorm, with NWS severe warnings and 60-mph gusts cutting electricity to over 150,000 homes, mirrors that historic pattern and fuels grid-upgrade calls.

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Story summary

The U.S. National Weather Service issued a Severe Thunderstorm Warning for Arlington, Virginia on Thursday, 11:20 p.m. to 11:45 p.m. EDT.
Radar recorded 60 mph gusts over Centreville at 11:20 p.m. EDT.
The storm left nearly 150,000 residents in Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia without power.
Prince George's County Public Schools closed because of storm damage.
Firefighters rescued a boy trapped after a tree fell in Prince George's County.

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