On Saturday evening as crews were preparing to go to the Price of Freedom Music Festival, the National Weather Service issued a tornado warning St. Mary's County. Company 5 was then alerted for Boat 5 for people in the water in Neal Sound in Charles County. Boat 5 was placed in service while responding by Charles and returned to quarters just as the storm was approaching. A short time later, Company 5 was dispatched for multiple trees down on Maddox Road. Brush 5 and Brush 5A both responded to the area. Upon arrival several trees were located down across the road.

Chief 5 responded to the area along with Squad 5. Upon arrival numerous trees were down and several structures were damaged. Chief 5 set up a command post on Budds Creek Road in Clements. Three additional brush units were requested to the scene. Several witnesses in the community reported seeing and hearing what they believed was a tornado come through the area. The path of the storm was from Maddox Road in the area of Notley Hall Road to Budds Creek Road in the area of Horseshoe Road.

Once units began an assessment, it was estimated in excess of 50-75 trees were down across the roads, in yards and on structures. Many more appeared to be down in the surrounding wooded areas. Units went door to door checking with residents ensuring there were no injuries. This was conducted on several roads in the Clements area. In total, thirteen structures were located with damage. Three of these were homes and the others were garages, barns and other outbuildings.

Crews worked with St. Mary's County Public Works and Southern Maryland Electric Company to clear the roadways of trees and down power lines. We would like to thank crews from Leonardtown, Hollywood and Bay District who responded to the scene to assist. Information has been passed to the National Weather Service and a survey will be done of the scene. We will post further details of the storm on our Facebook page.

All units operated on the scene for approximately five hours before returning to quarters.