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Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
233 PM EDT Fri Sep 4 2026

...September 3 2026 Nighttime Severe Thunderstorm Wind Event...

During the night of September 3, 2026, a cluster of severe
thunderstorms caused a swath of significant straight line wind
damage across southwestern Queen Anne`s County MD, Talbot County
MD, Caroline County MD then across Sussex County DE.

Around 12:30 AM EDT on September 4th, the cluster of storms moved
into southwestern Queen Anne`s County (Kent Island) and western
Talbot County resulting in some downed trees with one report of a
tree onto a structure. The storms then crossed Caroline County
around 1:00 AM, which then moved across Sussex County between
about 1:05 AM and 2:00 AM before moving offshore. Several areas of
tree damaged occurred along the path of this storm cluster as it
tracked from west to east.

Several trees were downed with some blocking roads, especially
into Sussex County DE. There were measured wind gusts between 58
mph and 64 mph along the path of this cluster of severe
thunderstorms. Given the tree damage however, there were likely
some concentrated areas of much stronger winds. A utility company
reported at the peak of this event, over 4,000 customers were
without power in Sussex County DE due to downed trees impacting
power lines.

A review of pictures of the damage and radar data determined that
this was all due to straight-line winds. Based on the degree of
damage in these counties, including some uprooted trees, the
estimated maximum wind speed was 80 mph.

In addition to the cluster of severe thunderstorms, a couple of
small individual thunderstorms producing localized downbursts
occurred.

One of these occurred just to the southeast of Laurel in Sussex
County DE between about 1:25 AM and 1:30 AM on September 4th.
Radar data showed a rapid appearance and increase in the inbound
velocities which is evidence of a descending severe downburst.
Multiple trees were blown down in the area between Laurel and
Delmar. Several trees were snapped or uprooted along Whitesville
Road in Laurel/Delmar. The estimated maximum wind speed with this
damage was 70-80 mph.

The second downburst occurred in the Kenton area of Kent County
DE between about 12:25 AM and 12:30 AM on September 4th. Radar
data also showed a rapid appearance and increase in the inbound
velocities associated with this downburst. While the radar
detected this downburst, it was more localized and no damage
reports have been received as of this write-up.

Both of these downbursts were likely enhanced by water-loaded
downdrafts.

Note: The information in this statement is preliminary and subject
to change pending final review of the events and publication in
NWS Storm Data.

$$

Gorse