Laurel, Delaware –
A tornado with 110 mph winds tore across eastern Maryland and southern Delaware Friday evening, toppling trees and damaging homes from Rhodesdale to Bethel in a fast-moving 11.4-mile path.
According to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, the EF-1 tornado touched down at 6:52 p.m. May 16 just southeast of Rhodesdale in Dorchester County, Maryland. It moved northeast, causing extensive tree and structural damage before dissipating at 7:06 p.m. near Bethel in Sussex County, Delaware.
In Maryland, the tornado uprooted trees along Rhodesdale-Vienna and Eldorado-Sharptown roads, with the most severe impact near Galestown. A farm building was lifted off its foundation and tossed several yards. Radar data suggest the storm may have produced multiple brief circulations.
In Sussex County, trees were snapped along Phillips Landing Road and Shell Bridge Road. The storm also tore off roofs from commercial buildings in Laurel, where wind-driven debris caused additional damage south of Chipman Pond.
No injuries or fatalities were reported, but emergency crews from Laurel Fire and Sussex County EMA assisted with the aftermath. Residents are urged to clear debris cautiously and report hazards to local authorities.
