Reston Cleaning Up Damage From Intense Thursday Storm

Updated, 1:15 p.m. Friday).

Many residents of South Reston are beginning to clean up this morning after a quick but powerful thunderstorm moved through the area Thursday night, downing trees and power lines.

The storm may have included a microburst, meteorologists said. A microburst is a very localized column of sinking air within a thunderstorm, says the National Weather Service. It can last a few seconds or a few minutes, but has the power to knock over large trees.

The Capital Weather Gang has some detailed information on how Thursday’s microburst formed over Western Fairfax County.

Fox Mill Road, which was closed at Fox View Road overnight dus to a downed tree and power lines, is reopened.

Reston Association says it is working in conjunction with the Virginia Department of Transportation to remove debris from the storm. VDOT is responsible for clearing and ensuring the safety of state streets. Secondary cleanup of the tree debris will be completed after all VDOT roadways are clear and safe, says RA.

Says RA: “Priorities for clearing hazards will be placed on compromised trees that could potentially cause harm to a person and/or damage property or infrastructure.”

The RA Central Services Facility team will also be clearing the RA paths of debris this morning.

Dominion Virginia Power said more than 2,500 Reston-area homes lost power last night. Fewer than 1,000 countywide are still without power this morning.