Washington Co. residents scramble to deal with aftermath of fierce storm

“Water was coming in the windows and draining down our walls,” she said. “We were praying for it to end quickly.”

Trees were down along St. Paul Road near Clear Spring. A tree at Knob Hall Winery was among the trees that were uprooted as a result of the storm. Winery owner Richard Seibert, 60, who lives on the 14108 St. Paul Road property, said he was inside when the storm hit and the tree fell.


“It was like a war zone,” he said. “We heard wind gusts, heard a pop, looked outside and saw two trees and that we were missing one.”

Seibert said the downed tree was an elm that was more than 100 years old.

“It added a lot to the scenery of the property,” he said. “The good thing was it didn’t blow on the house and we’re going to try to see what we can do with the wood.”

The C&O Canal website indicated that the park was closed Tuesday.

Kevin Brandt, superintendent of the Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park, said the park’s buildings were closed Tuesday. Although the towpath itself was not technically closed, park officials were encouraging people not to use it until they have had a chance to survey all sections of the towpath for possible downed trees or wash-outs on the trail.

Brandt said everyone has been asking about how the newly completed Big Slackwater section of the towpath fared in the storm. Although Brandt said he has not received a report on Big Slackwater, Brandt said he has “every confidence” it was fine.

The Appalachian Trail website cautioned people that if they planned to hike the trail this week to “postpone your plans.” Part of the JFK 50 foot race on Nov. 17 is scheduled to be held on the trail. Race director Mike Spinnler said Tuesday he had not heard anything about storm damage possibly affecting the trail or the race.

Spinnler said the storm made him think of a hurricane that went through the area in 1985. There was much more damage associated with that storm and the JFK 50 went on as planned then, Spinnler said.

The Maryland State Parks Twitter account indicated that all state parks were closed Tuesday so damage could be assessed, power restored and officials knew the parks were safe for visitors.

Antietam National Battlefield was closed Monday, a sign on the visitor center informing any visitors “Closed for Severe Weather.”

Videographer Dustin Lawyer and staff writer Dave McMillion contributed to this story.