Severe Storms Spawn Tornado Warnings

 ONGOING STORM COVERAGE  

Original Post 2:17 p.m. 

Thunderstorms are just moving into the Potomac Communities during what should be an overall stormy afternoon.

A tornado watch is posted until 9 p.m. for the Washington area, and a tornado warning was up for extreme western Prince William County just after 2 p.m. Friday as storms began their march across the region. If there are tornadoes, they should be isolated, according to the National Weather Service.

Some storms were forecast before 4 p.m., but heavier thunderstorms are called for later this afternoon into the evening hours, according to the weather service. Heavy rain and high winds are also expected.

 4 p.m. 

Dominion Virginia Power reports 3,400 customers without power along Va. 610 in North Stafford after a power line fell on a tree. As of 4 p.m., the utility did not list an estimated time of repair. It is Dominion’s largest power outage in the state at this hour.

The Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative in Prince William County reports five customers without power right now.

The power outage comes after a large storm just swept through the area.

4:15 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm warning is in effect for eastern Prince William County until 4:30 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. It’s forecasted to impact the Fort Belvoir, Franconia, Hybla Valley areas in Virginia, and Indian Head and Fort Washington areas in Maryland.

Stay away from windows and move to an interior portion of your home, and call local law enforcement I tornadoes or funnel clouds are spotted, states the National Weather Service.

5:20 p.m. 

A tornado warning is issued until 5:45 p.m. for the Potomac Communities. A storm capable ofproducing a tornado was spotted about six miles west of Dale City, and is forecast to impact Lake Ridge in Prince William County, and Springfield, Burke, Lorton in Fairfax County, according to the National Weather Service.

Rain, lightning, thunderous conditions persist now in Lake Ridge.

5:25 p.m.

Dominion Virginia Power reports about 320 customers in Stafford County without power now. No outages reported in Prince William County.

5:30 p.m.

Tornado warnings lifted for Prince William, Fairfax counties.

5:37 p.m.

No power now at Union Station, WRC-TV reports. Checking to see if Virginia Railway Express trains affected. Four trains on Fredericksburg line still scheduled to depart, three on the Manassas line.

5:40 p.m. P-Nats rained out

Tonight’s rain has led to the postponement of the Potomac Nationals game in Woodbridge. The P-Nats were scheduled to take on the Lynchburg Hillcats. The game will be made up during a doubleheader tomorrow at 5:35 p.m.

6:20 p.m. 

Virginia Railway Express trains not affected by power outage at Union Station in Washington, said VRE spokesman Mark Roeber.

6:45 p.m.

Severe thunderstorm moving into Stafford County moving northeast at 25 mph capable of producing winds of 60 mph. Severe thunderstorm warning issued for Stafford County until 7:15 p.m., as storm will impact Potomac, Aquia creek areas, according to the National Weather Service.