A powerful tornado tore through Carroll County yesterday, damaging 48 homes and downing trees and power lines in a terrifying few moments in which two small children were swept out of a window.
About 30 homes were severely damaged, but no one was seriously hurt. The two children, a 2-year-old and his 4-month-old brother, were in stable condition last night at the Johns Hopkins Children Center in Baltimore.
The boys, who were not identified, suffered minor injuries, according to hospital spokesman Jack Sheehan. They were brought by ambulance to the emergency room at about 5: 30 p.m. and will be kept overnight for observation, he said. No other information was available on the incident.
The tornado touched down at 3: 45 p.m. in the Four Seasons and Mystic Kane Manor developments off Route 32 southeast of Westminster. Residents reported that the tornado lasted about three minutes before its high winds and pelting rains gave way to sunny skies.
The tornado turned an orderly suburban neighborhood into a chaotic scene. Roofs were blown off homes; jewelry, clothes and furniture were strewn throughout backyards, and parents comforted crying children.
Janice Brown and her 15-year-old daughter, Jada Thompson, looked in disbelief at the home on Kane Drive where they had moved just six months ago.
"All of a sudden the wind started blowing real hard, and we ran to the basement," said Jada. "As soon as we got down there, the whole back of the house just blew in. Glass was everywhere, and the rain was coming in."
Sue Ingalsbe of Spring Drive said she was taking a nap when she heard glass shattering.
"I thought it was a nasty storm until I heard the windows break," she said. "I got up, and I saw my picnic table fly off the deck. Everything was done in a matter of minutes."
Residents who were forced from their homes were tak-en by bus to Gamber Volunteer Fire Department. Red Cross workers organized trips to retrieve glasses, dentures and medications.
Displaced homeowners used cellular phones to call relatives, children played with toys, and volunteers set up a canteen offering pizza, sandwiches and sodas.
Mitchell and Laura Adkins and their day-old daughter were among the approximately 200 people at the fire hall. The couple, who live in Mystic Kane Manor, were on their way home from the hospital with their baby when they heard that a tornado had hit.
"We've been there, and we have walls and windows out," said Mrs. Adkins.
