Severe Storms Cause Damage and Power Outages in Maryland
Severe thunderstorms swept across Maryland on Saturday, July 18, 2026, causing widespread damage and power outages. The storms, which brought wind gusts up to 70 mph and heavy rain, hit Central and Southern Maryland the hardest, particularly Anne Arundel County. Over 27,000 residents lost power, with more than 20,000 outages reported in Anne Arundel County alone. Tornado watches were issued for Baltimore and several counties until 9 p.m., while flash flooding and large hail were also reported. Additionally, a historic bed-and-breakfast in Ellicott City was struck by lightning, resulting in a fire. Air quality remained poor due to lingering Canadian wildfire smoke, with a Code Orange alert in effect for most of the state. Heat indices also exceeded 100°F (37.8°C), prompting heat advisories. 
