Fairfax County storm damage caused by microburst wind event, NWS finds

The National Weather Service is surveying storm damage in Fairfax County, Virginia, to determine whether a tornado caused it.

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Possible tornado investigated in Fairfax County

The National Weather Service determined that a microburst hit Burke, Virginia, as strong storms moved through the area, toppling trees and causing significant damage.

The agency’s investigation found that Monday’s storms generated intense wind bursts that reached as high as 90 mph, centering on neighborhoods around Lake Royal.

WTOP’s Neal Augenstein reported that Guinea Road was closed between Zion Drive and Lakepointe Drive Tuesday morning, after wind and trees falling on wires brought down four utility poles during the storm.

While there were no reports of injuries, Augenstein called the damage to a nearby neighborhood “jaw dropping.” He said the smell of sap filled the air off Hillard Lake Road, after dozens of evergreen trees were sheared in the storm. The area was busy with utility workers, insurance adjusters, tree crews and residents examining the damage.

The National Weather Service initially surveyed the Burke area to determine whether a tornado or straight-line winds caused the damage. According to NWS, its investigation found “no evidence of rotation indicating the storm being tornadic.”

NWS Meteorologist Kevin Witt told WTOP that wind speeds neared the threshold for a low-end tornado, which can produce winds of about 70 to 75 mph.

“Straight-line winds can also produce some similar damage as a tornado,” Witt said. “That’s why we go out and survey these areas — to see if straight-line winds pushed trees down … or if a tornado actually caused them to fall and spiral downward.”

Witt said the National Weather Service is still gathering reports from southern Maryland and has not yet decided whether to send a survey team to Waldorf, where there were also reports of storm-related damage.

WTOP’s Jeffery Leon and Neal Augenstein contributed to this report.

This truck was struck by a downed tree in Burke, Virginia, following a damaging storm Monday night.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

WTOP/Neal Augenstein

Downed trees into a house in Burke, Virginia, following a damaging storm Monday night.
(WTOP/Neal Augenstein)

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Matt Small

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