Severe storms battered the D.C. region Tuesday bringing the risk of tornadoes and flooding.

The National Weather Service issued a series of severe weather warnings Tuesday, including flash flood and tornado warnings, for the D.C. region. Storm cells packed heavy rain and wind, downing trees and blocking roads around the region.

WTOP’s Alan Etter reported as the storms came crashing through the D.C. area, they produced a literal crash at a gas station on Georgia Avenue in Northwest D.C.

A white GMC van was parked at the pumps near the intersection with Farragut Street when the pump island canopy began to lean and collapse onto the van with a man inside.

“For a minute it was like — for me I couldn’t even understand it — the lightning — and I say, what!'” Food Mart manager Rukia Negash said, who was inside the convenience store when the canopy came crashing down. “There was a guy in the truck — the white truck. Nothing happened to him,” she said.

Negash said she called 911, but canceled the call as it was determined the man wasn’t injured.

Damage to the van appeared to be extensive with the driver;s side, significantly crushed inward.

The owner of the gas station was said to be out of the area, but in a phone call with WTOP said he was thankful no one was hurt.

[custom_gallery]

WTOP’s Dave Dildine reported downed trees were blocking Dalecarlia Parkway near Westmoreland Circle and Massachusetts Avenue near Idaho Avenue.

Earlier Tuesday afternoon, downed trees and limbs blocked Route 340 near Harpers Ferry Road. A tree also fell in a southbound lane of the Baltimore-Washington Parkway near Powder Mill Road.

High-standing water covered the left lanes of the Outer Loop of the Capital Beltway between Route 450 and the BW Parkway. Runoff water also covered the right lanes of D.C.-295 northbound near Benning Road.

Storms moved out of the D.C. area at around 7 p.m., heading southeast. Storms continued to affect the southern suburbs and Southern Maryland into Tuesday night.

Skies are expected to clear across the region around midnight. Patchy fog and damp pavement may create reduced visibility overnight. Lows will fall into the upper 60s to lower 70s.

• Listen to WTOP online and on the radio at 103.5 FM or 107.7 FM.
• Current traffic conditions
• Weather forecast
• Closings and Delays
• Sign up for WTOP email alerts
• Get custom alerts with the WTOP app for Apple and Android phones

Breezy northwest winds and slightly lower humidity arrive Wednesday behind the cold front. Highs will reach the 80s, with wind gusts up to 25 mph. The National Weather Service said a stray shower or thunderstorm is possible east of the Blue Ridge, but most areas will stay dry.

Thursday will be cooler and less humid with plenty of sunshine. Highs will reach the lower to mid-80s. Breezy northwest winds continue, with dry conditions expected.

Full forecast

WEDNESDAY:
Partly Cloudy, Breezy
Highs: 83-87
Winds: Northwest 5-15, Gusts 20-25 mph
Calmer weather follows Tuesday’s strong storms. You will notice a drop in humidity and a refreshing northwest breeze that will develop midday. Temperatures will warm into the mid-to-upper 80s under a mix of sun and clouds.  Overall, some nice outdoor weather for late July. 

WEDNESDAY NIGHT:
Partly Cloudy
Lows: 65-70
Winds: Northwest 5-10 mph
A very comfortable night is in store with scattered clouds and comfortable lows in the 60s in the suburbs to around 70 degrees in the city.  It will be a bright night, as the full moon shines overhead.  Moonrise is at 8:40 p.m. and the moon will set at 6:57 a.m. Thursday. 

THURSDAY:
Sunny to Partly Cloudy, Breezy
Highs: 83-87
Winds: Northwest 5-15, Gusts 20-25 mph
Breezy conditions are expected once again, as an area of low pressure continues to spin over New England. For late July, this is some nice weather considering the relatively low humidity and refreshing breezes.  High temperatures will be seasonably warm in the mid-to-upper 80s. 

FRIDAY:
Partly to Mostly Sunny
Highs: 86-89
Winds: Northwest 5-10 mph
We round out the month of July with nice, summer weather.  Plan for mostly sunny skies, seasonably warm highs in the upper 80s, and light northwest winds.  It will remain quiet for your Friday night plans with temperatures falling into the 70s. 

Power Outage Map

Current conditions

WTOP’s Dave Dildine contributed to this report.