BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES

Whatever preparations you make for severe weather - make them tonight. A powerful line of violent thunderstorms is expected to reach the Bethesda/DC area Wednesday afternoon. Heavy winds, strong lightning activity and heavy rainfall have the potential to cause damage and flooding across the region. This would be a good time to ensure your gas tank is at least half-full, balcony or outdoor furniture is secure or brought indoors, and to prepare for potential power outages.

This line of storms has already killed at least two people in the southern United States, and caused tremendous damage there. Stay tuned here and at @BethesdaRow on Twitter for updates.

BETHESDA STORM DAMAGE PHOTOS + POWER OUTAGE UPDATE

Limb down in downtown Bethesda

Power outages and many fallen tree limbs are the primary evidence of the violent storm that hit Bethesda late this afternoon. One woman was struck by lightning at Old Georgetown Road and Democracy Boulevard. Her injuries were considered non-life-threatening, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer.

Thousands are without power in Bethesda; the hardest hit areas are along the River Road/Massachusetts Avenue corridors, and North Bethesda. Multiple traffic signals along River Road were dark this evening. Pepco's outage site is not giving estimated times for power restoration for any of these outages.

Here are some photos of the aftermath; there may be more photos (not to mention more storms) to come tonight, and tomorrow.

Tree limb meets car

Dark traffic signals at River Road
and Ridgefield Road

Tree limb blocks northbound lanes
of Arlington Road just south
of Bradley Boulevard

Storm-tossed fencing and construction
equipment at the 7770 Norfolk
luxury apartment tower construction
site

Bethesda Urban Partnership
cart got knocked aside in
Veterans Park