Strong storms cause fallen trees, wires, damaged homes

WASHINGTON - Severe thunderstorms passing through the D.C. region resulted in golf ball-size hail and storm damage Friday evening.

Montgomery County fire officials reported several trees, wires and poles came down, and multiple car accidents occurring throughout the county.

A family has been displaced after a massive tree toppled over a home on Lynwood Place in Chevy Chase. The homeowner said he was inside with his family when the tree came crashing down, but thankfully no one was injured.

"We were inside the house and all of the sudden heard this crackling against the windows, and we went to look and it was big hail balls about the size of golf balls pelting our windows," said neighbor Joshua Grim. "Then you hear kind of this big crack -- 'boom' -- and our neighbor's old, live oak tree fell down and branches were flying everywhere."

The damage to the home is estimated to be at least $150,000 and the tree pierced through the roof and into the ceiling of the home's top floor.

"It's very rare that you see a tree come completely through the house," said restoration contractor Christian Larson.

"We had a number of car crashes, wrecks, a number of roads closed," said Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer. "Obviously trees and branches bringing wires down. Some of them on major roadways, such as Connecticut Avenue, University Boulevard, River Road ... But again, good thing is no injuries."

At an IHOP restaurant In Takoma Park, a FOX 5 viewer said the weather caused a sign to come off of their building.

In Prince George's County, many residents also saw a heavy downpour of hail in their neighborhoods.