FALLTSON, MD—The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado struck the Fork/Fallston area last month.

A line of severe thunderstorms produced a twister along its leading edge as it passed over Fork, Fallston, and western Bel Air on the mid-afternoon of Saturday, April 22, 2023. The tornado was on the ground intermittently for eight minutes, but it produced a fair amount of tree damage along its nearly 7-mile path. Wind gusts where it caused noted damage were estimated at 70 to 75 mph along its path.

The tornado touched down in Fork in northeastern Baltimore County, about a mile from the border with Harford County. There it downed a tree which knocked down power poles and lines near the intersection of Sunshine Avenue and Harford Road. It strengthened slightly as it crossed the border into Harford County. There were numerous large branches snapped and downed power lines along Reckord Road as the tornado traveled along it. There were also 4 large trees snapped in the 400-block of Reckord Road.

The tornado continued northeast and damaged several trees with large branches snapped mainly off the upper parts of trees, with a few falling on homes and vehicles. Affected properties included those along Old Fallston Road, Watervale Road, Waters Avenue, Red Pump Road, Fox Den Road, and Vale Road. About 10 trees and large branches were down in a wooded park near the intersection of Red Pump Road and Vale Road in multiple directions. Two eyewitnesses reported seeing the rotating funnel as it passed. Another reported debris swiftly rotating up off the ground and tops of trees being spun in circles.

The final significant large branch damage noted was about a quarter mile southwest of the intersection of state route 24 and Red Pump Road, along Marywood Drive.

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