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Storm Damage Surveyed Across Maryland Following, 91-Year-Old Man Killed Identified

FINKSBURG, Md. (WJZ) -- Carroll County officials have identified the man who died during Monday's severe storms acrosss Maryland.

Harry Swan, 91, died after a tree fell on him in his driveway in the 2900 block of Bloom Road in Finksburg.

Jay Baker and other neighbors cut away some of the limbs and pushed away branches. Two minutes later, EMS arrived, pulled Swan out, and gave him CPR- but it was too late.

"He was saying, 'There's a gentleman with a tree on him,'" Baker said. "And I'm thinking, 'Like right now'? So we took off running."

Neighbors told WJZ, Swan spent all but two years of his life living on that road. The other two years were spent serving in the U.S. Navy.

On Tuesday, clean up began as people tried to determine if a tornado caused the damage around the state -- especially in Carroll County.

"It is not yet known if the storm damage was the result of a tornado or micro-bursts," Gamber VFD Officer Bruce Bouch said.

The Gamber & Community Fire Department in Finksburg shared photos of the damage seen around town as they were responding to calls.

A house was struck by lightning, multiple trees and wires came down across roads and homes. Six homes reportedly had damage to their roofs.

"It all started with lightning that struck a home and then it just kind of went on from there," Bouch said.

"The Gamber & Community Fire Company members and staff are saddened at the loss of a long-time community member in the 2900 blk of Bloom Road in Finksburg," Bouch added. "Although every effort was made to revive him, we were unsuccessful in our attempt and grieve with the family."

Neighbors said that they are still proceeding with caution around trees in the area.

"There are still loose limbs up there, so we have to be really careful," Ann Boyles said.

Severe Storms Leave Behind Power Outages, Downed Power Lines Across Maryland

Around the state, there were other reports of power lines and trees down.

In Frederick County, Interstate 270 was temporarily blocked due to downed live power lines.

BGE has brought in contractors to expedite the process of restoring power.

The National Weather Service has not said whether the damage in Finksburg was caused by a tornado.

Massive trees also slammed into the ground across town at the Beaver Creek Estates, crushing a car.

In Baltimore, WJZ caught up with Terri Kenney, who had a tree fall on his roof.

"I mean it was short, but it was wicked," Kenney said. "Every tree on this street was bending."

In Ocean City, the storm toppled the Fenwick Inn sign onto a car.

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Fenwick Inn sign falls onto a car in Ocean City, Maryland on July 22, 2019.. Credit: Doug Rupple
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Fenwick Inn sign falls onto a car in Ocean City, Maryland on July 22, 2019.. Credit: Doug Rupple
IMG_7153
Fenwick Inn sign falls onto a car in Ocean City, Maryland on July 22, 2019.. Credit: Doug Rupple
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Fenwick Inn sign falls onto a car in Ocean City, Maryland on July 22, 2019.. Credit: Doug Rupple

There were 89 reports of thunderstorm wind damage, according to the National Weather Service.

If you have photos of storm damage, you can share them with us across social media using #BeOnWJZ or you can email newsroom@wjz.com. 

Editor's Note: In the original version of this story we said Swan was 89 years old, which we got from the Carroll County Sheriff's Office. His family tells WJZ however he was 91. We've corrected the story to reflect that.

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