Trees, transportation and a torrential thunderstorm were all thrown together in Washington Friday afternoon to create scenes of summertime drama and occasional disruption.
In a way it was a typical summer afternoon storm, with ominous black clouds exploding in wind that tossed treetops, and rain that made streets into rivers.
But every such storm is unique in its way. A delay was announced for gate opening at Nationals Park for the James Taylor-Bonnie Raitt concert, which began on time at 7 p.m.
Great trees, which had withstood years of storms, suddenly toppled. One fell across the Capital Crescent Trail. Another crashed onto a house and car in the 5300 block of 32nd Street NW. Lightning set fire to a roofdeck on Seaton Place NW.
About 10,000 homes and businesses were without power in Northern Virginia well after the 40-mph gusts and half-inch-an-hour rain had left for points east.
