Tornado hits College Park this afternoon

Hannah Geller April 17, 2017

COLLEGE PARK, Md. Today at approximately 12:09 p.m., a tornado hit College Park at the
corner of Knox Road and Route 1. The storm was rated an EF3 on the F-scale by the National
Weather Service. The F-scale ranges from EF0 to EF5 and takes types of damage to structures
and trees into consideration.

Governor Larry Hogan issued a state of emergency in Prince Georges County. This state of
emergency will allow emergency responders from Ann Arundel and Montgomery County to help
the College Park community.

Four people were killed. There have also been two dozen patients transported to the Prince
Georges County General Hospital emergency room. The number of fatalities and injured are
expected to rise.

The mayor of College Park, Lara Hollenczer, informed the city that Ritchie Coliseum on Route 1
is now open and prepared for anybody who needs shelter. She also explained that at least half of
residents do not have electricity and she expects more to lose their power.

There is one large structure with damage on the University of Maryland campus. The Mowatt
Lane Parking Garage, located near Van Munching Hall and The Commons residence hall
apartments, had a partial collapse. Several firefighters and two firetrucks are trapped inside the
garage.

Many roads through town and on campus are impassible.

Please shelter in place. Its dangerous out there right now. Stay away from windows and if you
can get to a basement please do that as well, Mayor Hollenczer emphasized.

This is the first tornado that has passed through College Park since 2012. That storm killed two
dozen people and caused millions of dollars in damages. Mayor Hollenczer estimates that this
current storm is worse than the one in 2012.

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