Tornado warning issued on March 31

On March 31, the National Weather Service (NWS) in Sterling, V.A. issued a tornado warning for parts of D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV), including southeastern Montgomery County where Silver Spring is located. 

The tornado warning was issued at around 8:50 p.m. and was lifted at 9:15 p.m. The tornado was expected to arrive near Takoma Park at 9:10 p.m. 

The broadcast from the NWS advised people to move to a secure location. "TAKE COVER NOW! Move to a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. Avoid windows. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris," the broadcast wrote. 

When sophomore Kassidy Dwyer saw the warning, they immediately followed directions to go to the basement or lowest floor. "I noticed the alert at [about] 8:45…We went into the middle of the basement because most of the [other] rooms are surrounded by windows…Then, I had to alert one of my parents who was driving and did not get the alert to make sure they could stay safe," Dwyer said. 

Likewise, sophomore Sarah Zhang and her family moved to the basement after hearing about the tornado warning. "We [usually work] in the basement anyway…My brother was in the kitchen, but he moved downstairs," she said. 

Storms involving heavy winds and strong winds had initiated the two tornadoes that passed through the DMV area. 

A severe tornado warning was issued for areas around Virginia's Tysons and College Park where the storm knocked down trees and utility poles. There were also reports of hail. 

A cold front prevented the tornadoes from bringing in severe weather in DC after 10 p.m., and minimal damages were found in Maryland.