Violent Storms Hurt More Than 50 in Maryland

Violent storms belted the Eastern Seaboard on Thursday, injuring more than 50 people in the Baltimore suburbs and killing a farmer in Virginia.

Strong winds also buffeted Newark International Airport and the surrounding New Jersey neighborhood, injuring several people, breaking windows and damaging cars.

A tornado in suburban Baltimore damaged homes and buildings, leaving more than 50 people hurt and cutting power to at least 48,000 utility customers, officials said.

Reisterstown, Md., residents said a tornado that touched down there ripped roofs from houses and a supermarket, overturned cars and downed power and telephone lines.

Alverta Payne, 80, of Reisterstown said she escaped her home by crawling through the wreckage of her third floor.

“I didn’t hear nothing until the roof was on top of me. All of a sudden, the whole roof caved in,” she said.

Baltimore County officials said 14 ambulances were sent to the area, which was hit hardest by heavy wind and severe thunderstorms that swept through around sundown.

Russell L. Martin, 73, a farmer in King William County, Va., was killed when a tornado crushed his barn, authorities said.

In Washington, driving wind and rain lashed the Capitol and shredded flags atop the congressional office buildings. Water poured onto the Rotunda floor from balconies above. Statues were draped with plastic sheets to protect them from the deluge.

Meanwhile, tropical storm Nana grew into a hurricane Thursday, heading north toward Bermuda, forecasters said.