Storm's severity surprised forecasters

NWS still investigating whether it was a tornado

It warned of "a line of severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds in excess of 60 mph. … This is a dangerous storm. If you are in its path, prepare immediately for damaging wind gusts and frequent cloud-to-ground lightning. Move indoors to a sturdy building and stay away from windows."

The warning was repeated at 1:20 and 1:40 a.m., then canceled for the city at 1:49 a.m. as the storm moved away to the east. The damage was already done.

More than 46,000 electricity customers lost power in the storm, most in Anne Arundel County, according to BGE's website. All but about 600 had had their power restored by 9 p.m. Wednesday.

The weather service also reported 30- to 40-inch-diameter trees knocked over in Virginia and a cinderblock wall failure at a UPS facility in the District of Columbia.

Baltimore Sun reporter Yeganeh June Torbati contributed to this article.

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Maryland weather blog: Frank Roylance on meteorology

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