Where did Maryland's Strongest Tornado on Record Occur?

The Track of La Plata's Tornado (April 28, 2002)   Source: NWS

Many longtime residents of the Mid-Atlantic Region will remember the strongest tornado on record in the state of Maryland occurred 13 years ago today.  That’s when an F4 tornado claimed five lives and caused over $100 million in damage in the town of La Plata.  This particular tornado had a track of over 60 miles and reached its highest intensity as it passed through La Plata.  The town of La Plata is in Charles County in southern Maryland.

April 28, 2002 was the second day of a two-day severe weather outbreak that saw a total of 36 tornadoes from Nebraska to Tennessee to the Mid-Atlantic Region.  One of the lessons learned from this severe weather outbreak is that while there were appropriate severe weather watches and warnings in effect, not everyone got them in time.  Since April 27 and 28 fell on a Saturday and Sunday in 2002, many people were out and about on a typical spring weekend. 

 

The National Weather Service and local media outlets did a stellar job of communicating the latest watches and warnings to the public in advance of the tornado in La Plata – and elsewhere.  However, with so many people out and about, not everyone knew storms were coming until they arrived in their neighborhood.  In the years since then, smart phones and social media have evolved a great deal giving the National Weather Service and local media outlets more tools to keep the public apprised of the latest weather developments.    

There was another severe weather outbreak that occurred seven years ago today on April 28, 2008.  A total of 23 tornadoes touched down in southeastern Virginia and North Carolina.  Fortunately, there were no fatalities but 200 injuries were reported from a tornado that passed through the town of Suffolk, Virginia.  Although social media and smart phones were better in 2008, then during the La Plata tornado, they weren’t at the level they are today.  Multiple weather apps are currently available for your mobile devices that can alert you to any pending dangerous weather, even if you’re away from your TV or radio.  That wasn’t possible in 2002. 

Or on June 2, 1998.  That’s when the Maryland’s previous strongest tornado occurred (prior to the La Plata tornado) when an F4 tornado touched down in Frostburg, MD.  Although it was also an F4, it wasn’t as strong as the La Plata tornado.  It’s also important to note that the Fujita Scale – used to measure tornado intensity – was updated in 2007.  The Fujita Scale is now known as the “Enhanced Fujita Scale,” so all tornadoes are now classified as an “EF0” to an “EF5” instead of an “F0” to an “F5.”  Both the La Plata and Frostburg tornadoes would be ranked as "EF5" tornadoes on the updated or "Enhanced" Fujita Scale.  

Whatever the weather may be, it’s important to remember the lessons of the La Plata tornado and remain informed of the latest weather conditions regardless of where you may be.  Fortunately, social media and your mobile devices both make that easier today.