Two killed as powerful storms hit Washington DC

Powerful storms have hit the Washington DC area, killing two people who were crushed by fallen trees.

The storms yesterday left widespread damage, including fallen power lines, authorities said.

Crews were today working to restore power to hundreds of thousands of people without electricity.

In Prince George’s County, Maryland, county fire spokesman Mark Brady said two women were in a mini-van when it was crushed by a tree. A woman in her 40s was killed and a woman in her 60s was injured.

In Loudoun County, Virginia, a six-year-old boy died after a large section of a tree fell on him while he was walking with his family.

The National Weather Service said a strong cold front pushed through the area, causing all the damage. Besides fallen trees and power lines, roofs lifted off some buildings from the gusts of wind.

The area also was drenched with heavy rain.