A microburst storm, like the one that hit Burke, could happen anywhere
By Julia Key
Burke residents are still recovering from a microburst storm that struck the community on June 22 with 90-mile-per-hour winds, toppling trees and damaging homes.
“The storm caused widespread damage across Lake Royal and surrounding Burke communities, bringing down numerous trees onto homes, vehicles, roads, and power lines,” Sulayman Brown, deputy coordinator of Fairfax County’s Department of Emergency Management, told participants at a virtual information session on the storm earlier this week.
Nine homes were significantly damaged. There were no reported injuries.
The National Weather Service describes a microburst as a localized column of sinking air within a thunderstorm, often accompanied by significant precipitation.
While that microburst was confined to Burke, those storms can happen anywhere, particularly in the Southeast during the summer.
A microburst can cause as much damage as a tornado, the NWS warns. Microbursts are becoming more frequent and intense due to climate change.
Braddock Supervisor Rachna Sizemore Heizer spoke about the suddenness and severity of last month’s storm and praised the rapid response by the police department, fire and rescue, land development services, VDOT, Dominion Energy, and the Red Cross.
Between 5 and 6 p.m. on June 22, the 911 call center processed around 358 calls for service, three times the typical number, said Dru Clark, deputy director of operations at the Department of Public Safety Communications.
“During and after the event, we remained in close coordination with the National Weather Service to monitor conditions, assess impacts, and support the damage assessment process,” Brown said.
Residents are encouraged to sign up for Fairfax County emergency alerts to be notified about severe weather forecasts and other safety challenges.
To report a power outage or downed wire, call Dominion Energy at 866-366-4357 or visit Dominion online.
If a tree falls on a roadway, call VDOT at 800-367-7623 or use VDOT’s online reporting form. If a tree falls on your home, get out immediately and call 911.
Visit this page to find out how to report flooding.
Fairfax County’s Land Development Services inspects properties damaged by storms and determines whether they are safe. Call 703-222-0801 for information about the post-disaster recovery process.
Fairfax County urges residents who need immediate damage recovery to be wary of door-to-door solicitors, who might be scammers.
Julia Key, Annandale Today’s summer intern, is a resident of Burke and a journalism student at Penn State University.