A waterspout briefly spun ashore in Eastport, Maryland, on Thursday afternoon, July 31, briefly transforming into an EF-0 tornado that caused damage to several small boats before returning to the Severn River.
Tornado Briefly Touches Down in Eastport
According to the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington, the tornado touched down at 2:46 p.m. with estimated peak winds of 65 mph along a short, 0.1-mile path near the Severn Sailing Association. Though the tornado lasted only moments, it left minor damage to vessels docked in the marina. Fortunately, no injuries or fatalities were reported.
The tornado’s narrow 25-yard width kept the impacts confined mostly to the waterfront, with boaters and marina staff startled by the sudden onset of severe weather. Eastport, located just across Spa Creek from downtown Annapolis, saw the twister make landfall before it returned over the water as a waterspout.
Weather Awareness and Safety Recommendations
Residents and visitors in the area are urged to remain weather-aware, especially during summer afternoons when waterspouts and brief tornadoes can form quickly near the Chesapeake Bay. The NWS advises mariners to seek shelter on shore if threatening clouds or rotating columns of water are observed.
Additional weather advisories may be issued as storms continue along the Maryland coastline, and residents are encouraged to stay tuned to local updates for changing conditions.
