Derecho Unlikely to Hit Mid-Atlantic, Severe Storms Still Heading For D.C.

A group of severe thunderstorms heading towards the nation's capital were downgraded to being a little less severe, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Ohio and parts of Illinois reported property damage, power outages, thunderstorms and heavy winds Thursday as the line of storms made its way towards the east coast.

Originally, the storms were called a derecho, but now they're not widespread enough for that name. A derecho is a line of storms, sometimes tornadoes, stretching 240 miles across with high and long-lasting winds.

Even though the National Weather Service (NWS) noted the storms are not classified as a derecho, they are still very severe and are headed toward Washington D.C., Philadelphia and New Jersey. The impact is expected later Thursday evening with winds estimated at 70 mph.

"The NWS Storm Prediction Center is forecasting a moderate risk of severe thunderstorms on Thursday for parts of the Mid-Atlantic, with a slight risk area from the Mid-Atlantic to the Gulf Coast states," the weather service noted. "Significant wind damage expected, along with the possibility of large hail and a few tornadoes. Heavy rainfall will also accompany the system."

"Derecho" is a Spanish word meaning "straight" or "direct" and it was coined in reference to the weather event in 1888, National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA) research meteorologist Ken Pryor told the Associated Press.

The NOAA recorded a derecho last June that traveled from Chicago to Virginia that killed 22 individuals, left more than five million without power and caused $1 billion worth of damage.

"A tornado, when it does occur, may be on the magnitude of a mile or two wide; a derecho could go for hundreds of miles, producing significant damage," Jim Keeney, NWS weather program manager in Kansas City told CBS News.

This year's event already has fallen well short of last year's severity, but the storm has already caused fallen trees and downed power lines for a part of the Midwest.

The NOAA has warned citizens of Washington D.C., Delaware and parts of Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania should seek shelter when the storm hits Thursday evening.