Tornado Ripped Roof Off Home, More Than A Dozen Families Displaced By Storm

DUNDALK, MD — Fundraising is under way for a family whose roof was destroyed in Friday's tornado that ran from Baltimore City to Dundalk, while more than a dozen households in the region were displaced by storm damage.

A GoFundMe has collected $10,582 for Ben and Gina Sloboda of Dundalk. The goal is to raise $14,000. Donations are still being accepted here.

"Many saw their entire roof on Merritt Blvd. Luckily, everyone is safe; however, everything was damaged, especially once the roof was lifted from their home," the fundraiser said. "This is a long-standing, good Dundalk family with two very young children who have already been through a lot."

On Saturday evening, the National Weather Service confirmed what many suspected: a tornado caused the damage.

The NWS said the twister touched down at 5:51 p.m. Friday in Federal Hill. Patch saw at least one downed tree and one utility pole knocked over when we visited Federal Hill Park on Saturday.

The Weather Service said the tornado traveled 5.75 miles, heading slightly southeast, and lifted at 6:01 p.m. near Stansbury Park.

• Related: 2 Dogs Killed In House Fire Sparked By Lightning Strike: Fire Marshal

The NWS estimated that the peak winds reached 110 mph, classifying the twister as an EF-1, the second-weakest category on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The max width was 75 yards.

There were no injuries or fatalities from the tornado reported in Maryland, but the same storm system caused two deaths in Northern Virginia, where trees were blown down on cars.

• Related: 2 Dead After Strong Storms Batter Northern Virginia

The system also produced hail 2.5 inches in diameter in Hampstead.

WMAR reported that Ben Sloboda's mother-in-law was in the room when the roof ripped away. Ben Sloboda's grandfather built the house in 1950.

The fundraiser will also support Ben Sloboda's son.

"My son suffers from a genetic mutation of GABRA1," Ben Sloboda told WMAR. "It's a very rare genetic mutation which is causing developmental delays."

The fundraiser said the American Red Cross can provide temporary housing until insurance can evaluate the damage.

The Red Cross is assisting several individual households in the Dundalk area. It's also helping about 14 households displaced from apartments damaged in the storm in Cockeysville on Hillgreen Circle. The Red Cross is providing further aid in Calvert County, Dorchester County and other areas.

WJZ reported that 74,000 BGE customers were without power Friday night. That was down to 178 outages by Monday morning, according to the electric company's tracker.

Baltimore City had about 20 downed trees temporarily blocking roughly eight roads, WJZ said.

The Merritt Clubs gym in Canton saw "significant damage on the roof." The facility is temporarily closed, but repairs are already underway.

WBAL-TV reported that Merritt lifeguard Izzy Norgaard was filling in for a friend on the rooftop pool deck when the storm hit.

"We were definitely scared," Norgaard told WBAL-TV. "The sky was just green. It was really windy and there was lightning everywhere."

Norgaard additionally told WBAL-TV that "There were deck chairs in the pool, all the cabana tarps came off. We were trying to hold onto the doors, but the doors that were in the room we were in just swung open."

The storm resulted in sewage overflow at the Dundalk Pumping Station, the Baltimore County Department of Health, Environmental Health Services Unit confirmed.

The overflow happened in the 7900 block of Dundalk Avenue around 8:42 p.m. on Friday following a storm-related loss of power to the station's dual electrical feeders. The Bureau of Utilities immediately notified BGE about the loss of power. Electricity was restored to the station by 11:34 p.m. that evening.

The overflow resulted in a Recreational Water Quality Advisory warning against water contact at:

• Merritt Park
• Chesterwood Park
• Waters Edge Park
• Sparrows Point Country Club
• Turner Station Park
• Fleming Park
• Stansbury Park

The Baltimore County Police Department offered these tips for avoiding scams amid storm clean-up:

• Be wary of unsolicited offers: If someone knocks on your door offering their services, be cautious. Legitimate contractors do not typically go door to door soliciting work.
• Contact your insurance company: Your insurance company will be able to explain what damage is covered and advise you on next steps.
• Be skeptical of “insurance-covered” repairs: If a contractor is overly eager to see your insurance policy or offers to waive the deductible, be wary.
• Take your time: Don’t feel pressured to make quick decisions. The solicitors may speak quickly and even mention a neighbor who just agreed to have them perform work.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau: The BBB has information about licensing and complaints.
• Get it in writing: Get multiple quotes, verify credentials, obtain a contract, and thoroughly review it.
• Consider using a local company: Speak to a local licensed professional that is known in the community.
• Protect your personal information: Do not share personal or bank information.
• Use a Secure payment method: Consider using a credit card, as it may offer extra protection. Do not sign over an insurance check to a contractor.
• Trust your instincts: If it feels off, it probably is.

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