UPDATE: National Weather Service Confirms Tornado in Talbot County; Peliminary Reports of Damage Assessed

July 29, 2026/Joe Ciccanti

UPDATE: The National Weather Service has confirmed that two tornadoes touched down near Trappe in Talbot County during Tuesday evening’s storms. An EF-1 tornado with estimated peak winds of 90 to 100 mph caused damage along Backtown Road, where a metal industrial building lost part of its roof, roof trusses were damaged, trees were damaged and a cornfield showed a convergent tornado path. A second EF-0 tornado, with estimated winds of 70 to 80 mph, touched down near Tarbutton Mill Road, damaging trees, a cornfield and the roofs of two farm outbuildings. No injuries or fatalities were reported.
 
Statement from the National Weather Service in Mt. Holly, NJ:

Public Information Statement
National Weather Service Mount Holly NJ
504 PM EDT Wed Jul 29 2026

…NWS Damage Survey for 07/29/26 Tornado Event…

.Overview…

Severe storms moved into the region during the afternoon of July 
29. One of the storms that progressed through Talbot County 
Maryland produced two distinct tornadoes in Trappe, Maryland. 
Multiple witnesses reported the tornado that affected the Backtown
Road fully dissipated before the storm crossed over Highway 50. 
The storm then produced another tornado on the east side of 
Highway 50 near Tarbutton Mill Road.

The NWS would like to thank Talbot County Emergency Management 
and area residents for their assistance in this survey.

.Backtown Road Tornado…

Rating:                 EF-1
Estimated Peak Wind:    90-100 mph
Path Length /statute/:  0.15 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   30 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             July 28, 2026
Start Time:             6:12 PM EDT
Start Location:         1 Mile N Trappe / Talbot County / MD
Start Lat/Lon:          38.6719 / -76.0602

End Date:               July 28, 2026
End Time:               6:13 PM EDT
End Location:           1.1 Miles N Trappe / Talbot County / MD
End Lat/Lon:            38.6734 / -76.0592

Survey Summary: 

Tree damage was noted behind an industrial park on Backtown Road.
The highest estimated wind speeds were from roof damage to one of
the large metal buildings in the industrial park. The metal roof 
covering was blown off and some of the roof trusses were damaged. 
Next to the industrial park large branches were broken on trees 
in the yard of a residence. The last damage noted was a distinct 
convergent damage path through part of a corn field on the north 
side of Backtown Road. Beginning and end points of this path are 
estimated due to lack of access.

.Tarbutton Mill Road Tornado…

Rating:                 EF-0
Estimated Peak Wind:    70-80 mph
Path Length /statute/:  0.34 miles
Path Width /maximum/:   30 yards
Fatalities:             0
Injuries:               0

Start Date:             July 28 2026 
Start Time:             6:18 PM EDT
Start Location:         1.4 NNE Trappe / Talbot County / MD
Start Lat/Lon:          38.6786 / -76.0519

End Date:               July 28 2026
End Time:               6:19 PM EDT
End Location:           1.6 NE Trappe / Talbot County / MD
End Lat/Lon:            38.6792 / -76.0456

Survey Summary: 

The first damage at this location noted was a large branch broken
from a tree. The tornado continued roughly eastward with 
convergent damage noted in a corn field. At the eastern extent of 
the damage, two farm outbuildings sustained damage to their roofs.
For one building the roofing was completely uplifted, including 
support beams. For the other building, part of the metal roofing 
was blown off. 

&&

EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the
following categories:

EF0…..65 to 85 mph
EF1…..86 to 110 mph
EF2…..111 to 135 mph
EF3…..136 to 165 mph
EF4…..166 to 200 mph
EF5…..>200 mph

NOTE:
The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to
change pending final review of the events and publication in NWS
Storm Data.

Johnson

 
Original Post:
 
The National Weather Service has confirmed that a tornado touched down Tuesday evening near Trappe in Talbot County. A storm survey is underway to determine the tornado’s Enhanced Fujita rating and assess the extent of the damage. County emergency management officials are also assessing damage following multiple storm-related incidents throughout Tuesday evening. Residents are encouraged to use caution around damaged trees, downed power lines, and debris. Any downed utility lines should be considered energized and reported immediately to the appropriate utility provider. Talbot County will provide additional information, including a summary of storm damage and response efforts, as it becomes available.
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