Lightning, High Water Hit Harford During Storm Friday

HARFORD COUNTY, MD - Emergency officials in Harford County said that a severe thunderstorm resulted in dozens of calls for service Friday night, ranging from lightning strikes to swift water rescues.

Between 4 and 7:30 p.m., volunteer fire and rescue personnel handled six lightning strikes, three fire alarms, two swift water rescues, seven routine medical calls and four crashes, according to Jenn Chenworth, spokeswoman for the Harford County Volunteer Fire and EMS Association.

The Harford County Emergency Operations Center was also hit by lightning, resulting in several medical evaluations; officials said the center was continuing to operate Friday evening. (Get Patch news alerts for the latest on this story and other local news. Also, like us on Facebook.)

Related: Harford Emergency Operations Center Hit By Lightning

There have not been any injuries that are believed to be life-threatening, Chenworth said, nor has any significant storm-related structural damage been reported.

The water rescues occurred in and around Aberdeen, the National Weather Service reported. Around 6:45 p.m., the Susquehanna Hose Company said that it was handling a swift water call in the area of Blenheim Farm Lane at the CSX overpass.

After 7:30 p.m., BGE said there were more than 1,200 people without power in Harford County.

Harford County was under a severe thunderstorm warning that called for 60 mph winds and small hail early Friday evening and was under a flash flood warning until 10:15 p.m.

The number of emergency calls slowed after 6 p.m., according to Chenworth, who advised there were still some areas with high water. She urged people to use caution and remember if there is a water-filled roadway, turn around; don't drown.

The National Weather Service advised the following areas were flooding after 7:30 p.m.:

• Otter Point Creek near Singer Road
• Bynum Run in the area of Bynum Run Park by MD 22
• Southeastern Harford County

Those near low-lying areas should seek higher ground, and people living by streams or creeks were advised to protect life and property, the weather service warned.

File photo.