Fifteen multi-family apartment buildings were among the victims of a microburst in Bladensburg Friday night.
The microburst — a small, intense downdraft that causes strong winds when it descends to the ground, not unlike a tornado — hit the area in Prince George’s County around 8:07 p.m., county Homeland Security officials confirmed Saturday.
In addition to the 15 apartment buildings, the storm also damaged a single-family house between 52nd and 55th avenues in Bladensburg, as well as numerous cars.
County firefighters responded to over 235 calls in about four hours during and after the storm, according to county Fire and Emergency Medical Services officials.
An estimated 300 to 600 residents are displaced, some of whom sought shelter at the Roger Heights Elementary School, which was opened as an evacuation center. Two people reported having minor injuries and were taken to local hospitals. They are now in good condition.
