GAITHERSBURG, Md. — A Gaithersburg family is recovering in the hospital after a traumatizing night when a tornado ripped through their neighborhood Wednesday. The family of five was trapped inside their home on Dogwood Drive when a massive tree fell on the home.
According to the National Weather Service, two or three long-track tornadoes were in the region, and are believed to have been EF-0 or EF-1, which is considered minor on the Enhanced Fujita scale.
However, neighbors that experienced the twister say it felt anything but minor.
"It felt horrible," said Juana Cruz who was in the neighborhood Thursday checking on her sister and nephew.
Cruz, who lives just down the street, said she heard debris being whipped around and saw branches snapping everywhere.
"The baby heard the crews working today and thought it was another tornado, he’s so traumatized," Cruz said of her young nephew.
Though Cruz was taken by surprise when the storms hit, she said her family was able to safely shelter in their basement.
"My husband told me to go to the basement,," Cruz said. "I told him it wasn’t that serious, I didn’t think it would pass by here. I didn’t believe him until I heard the wind. We ran to the basement."
The family of five trapped in their home were rushed to the hospital for treatment after being rescued. One person was pinned down by the tree and had to be removed by a technical rescue team. Montgomery County officials say they are all expected to recover, and be released from the hospital before the end of the day Thursday. No children were in the home at the time.
“They all came out bloody," Cruz said. "But thank god they got out."
The American Red Cross is assisting this family and others in their neighborhood who now don't have a home to return to.
Gaithersburg tornado damage
Do you have a news tip on this story or any other story? We want to hear from you. Tell us about it by emailing newstips@wusa9.com.
MORE WAYS TO GET WUSA9
DOWNLOAD THE WUSA9 APP
Apple App Store: WUSA9 News on Apple
Google Play Store: WUSA9 News on Android
HOW TO ADD THE FREE WUSA9+ APP TO YOUR STREAMING DEVICE
ROKU: add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching for WUSA9.
For both Apple TV and Fire TV, search for "WUSA9" to find the free app to add to your account. Another option for Fire TV is to have the app delivered directly to your Fire TV through Amazon.
SIGN UP TO RECEIVE WUSA9 NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our daily WUSA9 Newsletter for top stories from WUSA9 curated daily just for you. Get content and information right now for can’t-miss stories, Commanders content, weather, and more delivered right to your inbox.