Locally severe storms prompt flooding, funnel clouds in mid-Atlantic on Thursday

By Alex Sosnowski, AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist

July 28,2016; 11:14PM,EDT

 

Drenching and locally severe thunderstorms impacted portions of the Northeast on Thursday.
"Over 3,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes hit southeast Pennsylvania, southern New Jersey, northeast Maryland and northern Delaware Thursday as strong thunderstorms crossed the region," AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Andy Mussoline said. "It was reported there were two active structure fires from lightning strikes in southern New Jersey."
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 concluded the convention with her acceptance speech.
Demonstrators take shelter from a rain storm in Franklin Delano Roosevelt Park, Monday, July 25, 2016, in Philadelphia, during the first day of the Democratic National Convention. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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.
"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, located 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 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.