WASHINGTON (AP) — A wave of violent storms sweeping through the mid-Atlantic following a day of record-setting heat in Washington, D.C., has knocked out power to nearly 2 million people.
The storms converged Friday night on Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. West Virginia Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin declared a state of emergency after more than 500,000 customers in 27 counties were left without electricity.
Heavy winds were reported across the region, including speeds of 75 mph in Maryland.
Metro trains on the Washington-area subway system were being returned to their endpoints due to storm damage.
The National Weather Service said that just before 3 p.m., it was 104 degrees at Washington Reagan National Airport. That beats the record of 101 set in 1934.
Triple-digit temperatures were expected to linger this weekend.
