Microburst storm damages the Belle Haven area of Alexandria

At midnight between 18 and 19 June, a very unusual storm hit near my home. A "microburst" is something like a reverse tornado. The wind pushes straight down from the sky, and flattens out as it contacts the Earth's surface, dissipating its power in concentric rings around the point of impact. Trees are not blown over so much as mashed down.

I drove through the neighborhood and took a few photos, but none add as much information or awareness about this type of storm--and the impact of this particular storm on the area of Alexandria known as Belle Haven--as these news clips.

http://www.nbcwashington.com/video/#!/news/local/Severe-Storm-Leaves-Damage-in-Fairfax-County/263895441

http://www.nbcwashington.com/video/#!/news/local/Tree-Crashes-Through-Alexandria-Home/263854721

http://www.nbcwashington.com/video/#!/news/local/Overnight-Storms-Knock-Down-Trees/263785481

Sad to see the destruction of so many wonderful old trees.