EF-1 Tornado Confirmed in Baltimore City After May 16 Storm

Baltimore officials have confirmed that a tornado that struck the city on May 16 was classified as an EF-1 by the National Weather Service, with peak wind speeds reaching 110 miles per hour. The storm prompted a partial activation of the city’s Emergency Operations Center and triggered coordinated response efforts across multiple agencies. Damage assessments are ongoing in the areas hardest hit by the tornado, which left a trail of destruction across several neighborhoods and commercial areas.

The tornado made landfall at Federal Hill Park shortly before 6 p.m. before moving eastward, crossing into the Canton area. It caused tree damage and continued through The Shops at Canton Crossing, where it damaged the roof of a fitness facility. The storm system moved across major highways I-95 and I-895 before reaching Holabird Industrial Park. There, several warehouses sustained significant roof and wall damage. Two trucks at an Amazon facility were overturned, and debris was carried northward by the wind.

The city’s Emergency Operations Center was activated at 6:47 p.m. in a Level II “Partial Activation” to oversee the response. Participating agencies included the fire department, police, public works, housing, and parks departments, among others. Staff categorized over 60 service requests submitted via the 311 system, facilitated building evacuations where necessary, and provided support to residents during and after the event.

Damage assessments conducted on May 17 by the Office of Emergency Management and the Maryland Department of Emergency Management surveyed seven commercial properties. Of those, three were found to have major damage, two had minor damage, and two were assessed as affected-level. Impacted locations included Federal Hill, Canton Waterfront Park, and Holabird Industrial Park. The city’s Forestry Division has since been actively removing fallen trees and addressing outstanding service requests.

Residents are encouraged to report any remaining storm-related damage through Baltimore’s 311 system and to enroll in the city’s BMORE ALERT notification service for future emergency updates.

Article by multiple RFHC contributors, based upon information from the Baltimore City Office of Emergency Management press release

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