LEONARDTOWN, Md. — A brief tornado touched down Tuesday evening in St. Mary’s County, according to a damage survey released Wednesday by the National Weather Service.
The EF-0 tornado formed around 7:45 p.m. on July 1, 2025 near Beauvue, approximately two miles south of Leonardtown. The storm packed estimated peak winds of 80 mph and carved a short, narrow path—about 0.1 miles long and 75 yards wide—before dissipating just one minute later.
No injuries or fatalities were reported, but the tornado did leave behind a trail of tree damage. About 10 trees were uprooted along Medleys Neck Road and Cedar Hill Lane, and another 10 had their tops snapped off. Two of the downed trees struck homes, while another fell on a vehicle.
According to the NWS, tree damage patterns indicated multiple wind directions, consistent with tornadic rotation. The storm had earlier produced a waterspout over Breton Bay, captured on video by area residents.
The tornado’s brief lifespan ended as the parent storm produced a strong downdraft, transitioning into straight-line winds that caused additional scattered tree damage as it moved east through the county.
The National Weather Service credited the St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services, trained spotters, and members of the public for assisting in the post-storm assessment by submitting photos and videos.
The EF-0 rating is the lowest on the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which ranks tornadoes from EF-0 to EF-5 based on estimated wind speeds and damage.
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