Storms force protesters to seek shelter on final day of Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia
By Alex Sosnowski for AccuWeather.com
Drenching and locally severe thunderstorms hit portions of the mid-Atlantic on Thursday.
"Over 3,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes hit southeast Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, northeast Maryland and northern Delaware Thursday," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Andy Mussoline said.
Two structures were set on fire after being struck by lightning in New Jersey.
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The locally severe storms targeted a very heavily populated part of the nation, including Philadelphia where the Democratic National Convention was entering its final night. Hillary Clinton closed the convention with her acceptance speech.
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Due to the potential for flash flooding, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney urged residents and visitors in town for the convention to take precautions ahead of the storms.
While there were no reports of flash flooding in Philadelphia, several water rescues were performed in York County, Pennsylvania, and northern West Virginia, according to local officials.
The Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management issued warnings for those who were outdoors to seek shelter immediately due to the threat of lightning.
Those in/around Thomas Paine Plaza - potential for lightning in Center City - seek shelter #PHLDNC#DemConvention#DemsInPhilly
— Philadelphia OEM (@PhilaOEM) July 28, 2016
Thunderstorms in next fifteen minutes tracking south nr sports complex. Lightning, 20-30 mph winds, seek shelter! #PHLDNC#DemConvention
— Philadelphia OEM (@PhilaOEM) July 28, 2016
However, the worst of the severe weather stayed south of Philadelphia, Mussoline said.
A trained spotter reported 2.75 inches of rain in Vineland, New Jersey, about 40 miles south of Philadelphia. Minor street flooding was reported in nearby Pitman, New Jersey.
Several funnel clouds were spotted in Talbot County on Maryland's eastern shore, according to social media reports and trained spotters.
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Gusty winds from the storms caused tree and power line damage in parts of Virginia.
Farther north, a line of gusty storms ripped through portions of Maine on Thursday afternoon and caused damage in some communities.
Additional batches of soaking rain and locally strong storms are in store for the region this weekend.
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