Tornado Hits La Plata, Maryland

Powerful thunderstorms swept through the mid-Atlantic states on April 28, spawning an F4 intensity tornado that ripped through La Plata, Maryland, destroying much of its historic downtown and claiming at least three lives.
Tornado Hits La Plata, Maryland
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Tornado Hits La Plata, Maryland

This pair of images from the Multi-angle Imaging Spectroradiometer (MISR) shows the strip of flattened and possibly denuded vegetation left by the F4 tornado (winds from 207 to 260 miles per hour, causing “devastating damage”) that struck La Plata, Maryland on April 28, 2002.

Published May 8, 2002

Atmosphere Land Severe Storms Human Presence

Tornado Hits La Plata, Maryland
Image

Tornado Hits La Plata, Maryland

Published May 6, 2002

Severe Storms

Tornado Hits La Plata, Maryland
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Tornado Hits La Plata, Maryland

Published May 3, 2002

Severe Storms

Tornado Hits La Plata, Maryland
Image

Tornado Hits La Plata, Maryland

A number of severe thunderstorms swept through the mid-Atlantic states on April 28, bringing high winds, hailstones, and heavy rains to many areas. The intense storms spawned at least two tornadoes, one of which was classified as an F4 twister. The powerful tornado touched down in southern Maryland and ripped through the town of La Plata, destroying most of the historic downtown. The twister—the strongest ever recorded to hit the state and perhaps the strongest ever recorded in the eastern U.S.—flattened everything in its path along a 39 kilometer (24 mile) swath running west to east through the state.

Published May 2, 2002

Atmosphere Land Severe Storms Human Presence