Tornado touches down in Bowie, pummeling power lines and trees

Tornado pummels power lines and trees in Bowie area

A tornado warning was issued in Prince George's County Tuesday evening, urging residents and others in the Bowie, Glenn Dale, and Mitchellville areas to seek shelter.

BOWIE, Md. - A tornado warning was issued in Prince George's County Tuesday evening, urging residents and others in the Bowie, Glenn Dale, and Mitchellville areas to seek shelter.

According to several locals and the National Weather Service, the tornado was observed on the ground near Bowie just after 5:30 p.m.

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Prince George's County Fire Department said they have received an influx of calls for power lines and trees down in the Old Bowie area.

FOX 5 meteorologist Matthew Cappucci spotted several suction vortices, which are smaller whirlwinds embedded within a tornado's circulation, in Bowie. He said that winds reached 90-plus miles per hour as it moved southeast.

Tornado Warning touches down in Bowie

FOX 5 meteorologist Matthew Cappucci chases down the tornado in Bowie and discusses the suction vortices he spotted in the area.

Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks stopped in Bowie to survey the damage. Recognizing how much worse things could have been, and commending neighbors for helping each other, Alsobrooks said she saw a Boy Scout troop clearing downed trees.

"Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has reached out to us to offer the state’s assistance, and we are in communication and will be accepting that assistance should it become necessary," Alsobrooks told FOX 5. "But for now, we’re just working to clear things."

Prince George's County Fire and the County Executive's Office said that there were no confirmed injuries or widespread structural damage. According to Baltimore Gas and Electric, 106 homes are currently without power in Bowie.