Provided By NWS Sterling site. Charlie Boyer at Calvert Cliffs Power Plant as the tornado crossed the bay (back to top)

Satellite Photo of damage from Storm in LaPlata (provided by NOAA)

Highlights of this storm! (updated 5/6)

• Path was 24 miles long	• 5 deaths
• ranged from 50 to 400 yards wide	• 95+ injuries
• Touch down between Risen & Marbury as an F2 (see below for rough idea where that is)	• 75% of La Plata's downtown businesses destroyed!
• Strengthened to an F-4 when it hit La Plata	• Damaged or destroyed nearly 1000 buildings
• F4 on the Fujita Scale while in eastern La Plata	• Tornado downgraded to an F4 on 5/7 by NWS
• F4 In Benedict and then went to Calvert Co.	• Estimated wind Speeds greater than 250 mph

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What can F4 Tornadoes Do?

• Wind Speeds 207 - 260 mph

• Inside funnel air pressure as low as 1/4 of normal

• Boils tree sap making trees explode

• Wipes well constructed homes clean from foundation

• Can hurl cars

• Large missiles can be thrown for 100's of feet

From Severe Storms Prediction Center (back to top)