(NWS)
MARTINSBURG, W.Va. — Power was knocked out for more than 100,000 homes in the Eastern Panhandle and north into Washington County, MD during a severe wind storm that blew threw the area Saturday night.
Power Pole Down from April 19 2025 Storm (Berkeley Springs VFD FB)
A severe thunderstorm warning came through just after 9:30 p.m. Will Astle of West Virginia Eastern Panhandle Weather said the National Weather Service confirmed a “wall of winds” of 60 to 75 miles an hour came through north Berkeley County.
“Multiple buildings” were damaged in Morgan County, Berkeley County, and Washington County according to first responders. Lightning reportedly set off some house fires in the region, according to the Hagerstown Police Department, who asked the public for patience as first responders worked to respond to calls.
The wind reportedly ripped the roof off the town hall in Hedgesville and resulted in hundreds of calls for first responders including for structure collapses. As many as eight power poles were knocked down on West Virginia Rt. 901 and motorists reported trees down in the road on Interstate 81.
Saturday night screenshot of Eagle cam aimed to where the eagle’s nest had been before strong winds came through and blew the nest to the ground, killing three eaglets. (NCTC, Shepherdstown)
The eagles nest at the NCTC in Shepherdstown was blown apart during the storm. The three eaglets that hatched last month did not survive the 90 foot fall to the ground.
Morgan County Emergency Services is reminding motorists to please do not drive around coned off sections of roadway or remove cones, signs or cautions tape as we has had several close calls with the power crews that are working to try to restore due to vehicle traffic on closed sections of road.
