ARNOLD, Md. — Four tornadoes touched down in Maryland within six minutes Tuesday evening as severe thunderstorms swept across the state, damaging buildings, trees and power lines on both sides of the Chesapeake Bay.
The National Weather Service confirmed two tornadoes in Talbot County and two in Anne Arundel County during the July 28, 2026, storm. Their reported touchdown times ranged from 6:12 to 6:18 p.m.
The tornadoes were reported in the following order:
- 6:12 p.m. — Trappe, Talbot County: EF-1 with estimated peak winds of 90 to 100 mph
- 6:15 p.m. — Lake Shore, Anne Arundel County: EF-1 with estimated peak winds of 100 mph
- 6:17 p.m. — Arnold/Cape St. Claire, Anne Arundel County: Rating remained pending Thursday morning
- 6:18 p.m. — Trappe, Talbot County: EF-0 with estimated peak winds of 70 to 80 mph
The first Talbot County tornado touched down near Backtown Road, about a mile north of Trappe. The EF-1 remained on the ground for about one minute, traveled approximately 0.15 miles and reached a maximum width of 30 yards.
Investigators documented roof damage at a metal building in an industrial park, including missing roofing and damaged trusses. Large tree branches were also broken, and a convergent path of damage was found through a nearby cornfield. No injuries or deaths were reported.
Witnesses reported that tornado fully dissipated before the storm crossed U.S. Route 50. The same thunderstorm then produced a second tornado east of the highway near Tarbutton Mill Road at approximately 6:18 p.m.
That EF-0 tornado remained on the ground for about one minute, traveled approximately 0.34 miles and was also estimated to be 30 yards wide. It damaged trees, a cornfield and the roofs of two farm outbuildings. No injuries or deaths were reported.
In Anne Arundel County, an EF-1 tornado touched down near Patapsco Road in the Lake Shore area with estimated peak winds of 100 mph. The tornado traveled about three-quarters of a mile and remained on the ground for approximately two minutes.
A second tornado was confirmed minutes later along Lake Drive in the Arnold and Cape St. Claire area. Survey crews found significant convergent tree damage, and the garage door of a home was blown inward. As of Thursday morning, the National Weather Service had not announced a final rating for that tornado.
The storms also brought widespread straight-line wind and lightning damage across the region. Trees and power lines were brought down in several communities, while thousands of utility customers lost electricity during the height of the storms.
The rapid succession of tornadoes underscored how quickly severe weather can develop. The first tornado began at 6:12 p.m., and the fourth touched down at 6:18 p.m., alternating between communities on opposite sides of the Chesapeake Bay.
The National Weather Service advises residents to immediately move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building when a tornado warning is issued. Residents should also have multiple ways to receive weather alerts and avoid relying solely on outdoor warning sirens.
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