Hide Transcript Show Transcript

WEBVTT THE FIRST TORNADO, IN MARYLAND THIS YEAR WAS ON THE GROUND FOR 2.5 MILES AND IS RESPONSIBLE FOR TWO DEATHS. ACCORDING TO THE NANTIONAL -- NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IT TOUCHED DOWN JUST BEFORE 9-FORTY FIVE, FRIDAY NIGHT NEAR I-95, JUST NORTH OF THE FORT MCHENRY TUNNEL. IT MOVED EAST, NEARLY PARALLEL TO HOLABIRD AVENUE >> WE HAD A 50 BY 50 FOOT WALL THAT COLLAPSED. VANESSA: BALTIMORE CITY FIRE OFFICIALS RESPONDED TO THE AMAZON WAREHOUSE IN THE 5,000 BLOCK OF HOLABIRD AVENUE JUST BEFORE 10-THIRTY FRIDAY NIGHT. ONE MAN WAS TAKEN TO A HOSPITAL, WHERE HE DIED. A MAN’S BODY WAS FOUND INSIDE THE BUILDING SATURDAY MORNIN PARTY CONTRACTORS. -- THE BWI-5 BUILDING REMAINS CLOSED. >> IT SPEECHLESS, YOU DON’T THINK YOU WILL GO TO WORK AND SEE THAT HAPPEN. KAI: THE TORNADO CONTINUED EAST AND BRIEFLY TOUCHED DOWN ONE LAST TIME AT THE HOLABIRD EAST APARTMENTS IN DUNDALK. >> WE HEARD THE WIND AND I LOOKED OUT THE BACK WINDOW AND I SAW THE TORNADO. VANESSA: WINDS TORE THE ROOF OFF ONE OF THE BUILDINGS NO INJURIES WERE REPORTED. THE RED CROSS IS ASSISTING PEOPLE WITH DAMAGED HOMES. >> I AM STILL SHOOK UP. I’M TRYING TO BE STRONG FOR MY KIDS. >> A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE IN SHOCK. THESE MOTHER -- WEATHER EVENTS OF HAPPEN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EVENING. YOU ARE SLEEPING, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN, THERE’S PEOPLE TELLING YOU TO EVACUATE. VANESSA: BALTIMORE COUNTY OFFICIALS SAY THE APARTMENT BUILDING IS UNINHABITABLE AND THEY DON’T KNOW IF, OR WHEN, RESIDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO RETURN. >> WHAT WE WILL TRY TO DO IS TO FILL THE IMMEDIATE TIMEFRAME AND THEN TRY TO FIND SOMETHING LONG-TERM. VANESS THE MEN KILLED HERE ARE IDENTIFIED AS ANDREW LINDSAY AND ISRAEL ARE GO TO -- ARGOTE. IN A TWEET GOVERNOR LARRY HOGAN SAID HIS ADMINISTRATION IS READY TO ASSIST BALTIMORE CITY AND OTHER AREAS IMPACTED BY THE SEVERE WEATHER.

Advertisement 2 dead in partial building collapse at Baltimore Amazon warehouse National Weather Service: EF-1 tornado caused storm damage Share Shares Copy Link Copy

Two people were killed after Friday night's partial building collapse at an Amazon warehouse in southeast Baltimore.Severe storms with strong winds tore through much of Maryland on Friday evening. The National Weather Service determined Saturday that the Baltimore City/County storm damage resulted from an EF-1 tornado.The weather service said the tornado blew off the roof of a portion of the North America Sortation Center building, including iron rafters. With the loss of the roof, the 8-inch concrete wall panels pushed in and collapsed into the building, according to the weather service.One man was taken to a hospital, where he died late Friday night.There was concern that another person was missing, whether it was someone who didn't show up for work or who had left for the night. It took crews all night long to move concrete and debris before they found the second deceased victim."There were reports that we were missing another individual and our units have been here on the scene all night. We worked through and ... we did come upon another male victim," Baltimore Fire Chief Roman Clark said.Both victims were third-party contractors. Fire officials identified them as Andrew Lindsay, 54, and Israel Espana Argote.There were no other injuries reported.Brandon McBride, an Amazon BWI5 employee who was working in the building, described to 11 News a chaotic and frightening scene."I was standing inside the building and me and one of the facilities dudes were talking, and I went to the left side of the building and he went to the right, and all of a sudden, we just heard these loud noises. The power shut off. It was just crazy inside," McBride said. "It just sounded like bombs were dropping everywhere. The whole side (of the building) was just dropping.""There was stuff falling everywhere, you could see the walls were caving in," McBride said. "Rain was pouring everywhere; all the packages were soaked. It's unreal."Dave Clark, Amazon's senior vice president of operations, released a statement, saying, "Last night, severe weather impacted one of our facilities in Baltimore City resulting in two fatalities. First responders remain onsite assessing the damage. The safety of our employees and contractors is our top priority and at this time the building remains closed. We are incredibly thankful for the quick response from emergency services. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families impacted by Friday evening's tragic event."Gov. Larry Hogan tweeted a statement, saying, "Saddened to learn of 2 deaths following the collapse of a building due to severe weather in Southeast Baltimore. @MDMEMA is coordinating closely with Baltimore City officials, & state agencies are assisting the city as they clean up and repair the damage."My sincerest condolences go out to the families and friends of the victims, and our administration stands ready to assist Baltimore City and other areas impacted by this severe weather in any way we can."In addition to the widespread debris, numerous trailers were turned onto their sides. About a dozen truck trailers were pushed over, moved or rolled by the wind, the weather service said. Two of the trailers were blown in an opposite direction of the wind that toppled the wall. Several light stanchions and signs were blown over. Several car windows were blown out by flying debris.Refresh wbaltv.com and our app, and watch 11 News for late-breaking updates.