UPDATED: Severe storm with considerable damage potential closing in on Arlington

Update at 5 p.m. — More than 11,000 homes and businesses are without power in Arlington and Falls Church in the wake of the storm.

Earlier: Take cover now — a line of strong storms with a history of damaging winds is approaching Arlington.

A Severe Thunderstorm Warning — for a storm with 70 mph winds and considerable damage potential — was issued by the National Weather Service just before 4 p.m.

From NWS:

The National Weather Service in Sterling Virginia has issued a

* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for… The District of Columbia… Southeastern Howard County in central Maryland… Southern Montgomery County in central Maryland… Central Prince Georges County in central Maryland… West central Anne Arundel County in central Maryland… Southeastern Loudoun County in northern Virginia… The City of Falls Church in northern Virginia…
Fairfax County in northern Virginia… The City of Manassas Park in northern Virginia… East central Prince William County in northern Virginia… The northeastern City of Manassas in northern Virginia… The City of Fairfax in northern Virginia… Arlington County in northern Virginia… The City of Alexandria in northern Virginia…

* Until 445 PM EDT.

* At 351 PM EDT, severe thunderstorms were located along a line extending from Broadlands to 7 miles west of Dale City, moving northeast at 50 mph.

HAZARD…70 mph wind gusts.

SOURCE…Radar indicated.

IMPACT…Damaging winds will cause some trees and large branches to fall. This could injure those outdoors, as well as damage homes and vehicles. Roadways may become blocked by downed trees. Localized power outages are possible. Unsecured light objects may become projectiles.

* Locations impacted include… Arlington, Alexandria, Columbia, Centreville, Dale City, Rockville, Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Reston, Bowie, Annandale, Clinton, Olney, Springfield, College Park, South Riding, Fort Washington, Herndon, Greenbelt, and Fairfax.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS…

This is a DANGEROUS SITUATION. SEEK SHELTER NOW inside a sturdy structure and stay away from windows!

Damaging wind, and continuous cloud to ground lightning are occurring with these storms. Move indoors immediately. Lightning is one of nature’s leading killers. Remember, if you can hear thunder, you are close enough to be struck by lightning.

Torrential rainfall is occurring with these storms, and may lead to flash flooding. Do not drive your vehicle through flooded roadways.