A strong cold front pushed south across the Mid Atlantic during the afternoon of March 5th. While there was no precipitation associated with the front, strong gusty winds affected the region during the afternoon of March 5th and even into March 6th. These strong winds downed trees and power lines across the region, causing several thousand power outages.
Low relative humidity, strong gusty winds and drying fuels lead to critical fire weather conditions on March 5th. Several small brush fires began when strong winds brought down power lines and transformers and produced sparks.
A trailer-mounted manufactured home briefly became airborne on Interstate 81 near Weyers Cave, VA., in Augusta County, before disintegrating along a hundred-yard stretch of guardrail. Sparks from the impact burned approximately one acre of grass. While emergency workers tended to the blaze, a 1,500 pound bale of hay blew off a farm truck and rolled across the interstate. No damage was caused by the bale of hay.
Strong winds brought down a tree on top of some power lines on Boyers Road in Harrisonburg, VA. A small grass fire started from the sparks. The power pole and transformed had to be replaced
Strong winds downed power lines throughout Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville. Georgetown Road was closed at Hydraulic Road for most of the afternoon after a downed line caused a fire. About 3,300 customers lost power due to the strong winds.
Albemarle County Fire-Rescue Officers reported about a half-dozen fires were caused by downed power lines. No injuries were reported and many of the fires were quickly contained, however one farm building off Old Lynchburg Road burned.

Strong Wind in ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
From 05-MAR-07 15:00:00 to 05-MAR-07 16:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 EG
Property damage: 5.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Strong winds downed power lines throughout Albemarle County and the City of Charlottesville. Georgetown Road was closed at Hydraulic Road for most of the afternoon after a downed line caused a fire. About 3,300 customers lost power due to strong winds.

Wildfire in ALBEMARLE, VIRGINIA
From 05-MAR-07 13:00:00 to 05-MAR-07 18:00:00 (EST-5)
Property damage: 75.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

Albemarle County Fire-Rescue Officers reported about a half-dozen fires were caused by downed power lines. No injuries were reported and many of the fires were quickly contained, however one farm building off Old Lynchburg Road burned.

Strong Wind in AUGUSTA, VIRGINIA
From 05-MAR-07 14:15:00 to 05-MAR-07 15:15:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 48.00 EG
Property damage: 70.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A trailer-mounted manufactured home briefly became airborne on Interstate 81 near Weyers Cave, VA., before disintegrating along a hundred-yard stretch of guardrail. Sparks from the impact burned approximately one acre of grass. While emergency workers tended to the blaze, a 1,500 pound bale of hay blew off a farm truck and rolled across the interstate. No damage was caused by the bale of hay.
Trees and power lines were also downed in Mount Sidney and Verona.
According to a Newspaper article, a maple trees fell and crushed a Ford Aerostar Van parked on Sunnyside Street in Staunton, VA.

Strong Wind in ROCKINGHAM, VIRGINIA
From 05-MAR-07 14:00:00 to 05-MAR-07 15:00:00 (EST-5)
Magnitude: 43.00 MG
Property damage: 10.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Newspaper

A trained spotter reported several trees and power lines downed due to strong winds in Elkton, VA. According to newspaper reports, strong winds brought down a tree on top of some power lines on Boyers Road in Harrisonburg, VA. A small grass fire started from the sparks. The power pole and transformer had to be replaced.