We had a Derecho

That's what the Washington area experienced on Friday (above is what one looks like). A Derecho is:

a widespread and long-lived, violent convectively induced straight-line windstorm that is associated with a fast-moving band of severe thunderstorms in the form of a squall line usually taking the form of a bow echo. Derechos blow in the direction of movement of their associated storms, similar to a gust front, except that the wind is sustained and generally increases in strength behind the "gust" front. A warm weather phenomenon, derechos occur mostly in summer, especially June and July in the Northern Hemisphere. They can occur at any time of the year and occur as frequently at night as in the daylight hours.

I consider myself to be incredibly lucky that the only thing I lost on Friday was internet service which by Saturday afternoon was restored. For many people they still don't have power. Today the temperature yet again will climb into the upper 90s.

This from the Post:

A string of ferocious summer storms whipped across the heat-scorched region Friday night, leaving 1.3 million homes and businesses without power and causing at least five deaths.

. . .

As the region suffered through a second day of 100-degree-plus heat, power companies said it could take up to a week before everyone has electricity again. State and local officials opened community pools, public libraries and special cooling centers. They also advised people to conserve water and help neighbors who might be especially vulnerable to heat. Temperatures on Sunday were expected to reach the upper 90s.

911 service has been interrupted or is out of order in several areas. Around where I lived traffic lights were out on Rhode Island Ave. a major road in and out of the city.

The shopping center at the end of my street with the Giant food store and Home Depot had limited power yesterday morning. The smaller stores in the center were closed. I went to the Giant which was open but it had limited power. All of the refrigerated or frozen food had been pulled from shelves. They were operating on emergency generators so most of the lights were out but the cash registers worked.

I took a walk after dinner and most of the traffic lights were working (which is a good thing because when they weren't many people just drove right through intersections without slowing down). But a few blocks away people were without power. At least last nigh the temperature was a little lower and the humidity not so bad. But over time the heat is going to build up in people's houses and they won't be able to live in them at all.