Severe thunderstorms and 60 mph wind gusts caused widespread damage across Maryland on Saturday, leaving thousands without power.

Severe thunderstorms swept across Maryland on Saturday, toppling trees and power lines while damaging homes and businesses. The National Weather Service reported that the storm, which hit Central and Southern Maryland hardest, produced 60 mph wind gusts and flash flooding despite recording only 0.7 inches of rainfall. In Anne Arundel County, the storm caused significant disruptions in Pasadena and Riviera Beach. More than 27,000 people were without power by 7 p.m., with over 20,000 of those outages occurring in Anne Arundel County alone. Residents reported "straight-line" winds that snapped branches and downed wires, some of which blocked firehouse units from responding to calls. While the storms caused localized damage, the region also dealt with poor air quality as wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota moved through the state. The smoke, which peaked on Friday, is expected to persist for at least a week. Travelers also faced disruptions at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, which reported nearly 200 flight delays and 40 cancellations.

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