GREENBELT, Md. - Early morning storms struck the Washington region Tuesday, awakening many and drenching commuters.

The downpour dumped about an inch of rain of rain across the area, according to ABC 7's WeatherBug network. The storm also packed a lot of lightning, 45 mph wind gusts and even some small hail was reported in Chesapeake Beach, Md..

Residents of two buildings at the Empirian Village Apartment complex in Greenbelt received a disturbing wake-up call at 5:30 a.m.

"It was a waterfall, looked just like a waterfall," said a man referring to the water that came pouring into the hallway after the ceiling caved in.

"Five-thirty in the morning we got woke out of our sleep! 'Gotta evacuate the building!' I have four kids!" recalled resident Serena Reynolds.

"Now we don't have electricity, no gas -- nothing! Can't stay here!" said one resident who didn't want to be identified.

Workers spent the morning with mops, buckets and even brooms to sweep away the remaining water. A county official stopped by to check out the damage. Residents point out this problem was months in the making: near the spot where the ceiling caved in, some sort of plant is growing directly above the stairwell.

"I told 'em, other people in the building called, and they didn't do nothing," Reynold said.

William Caprio, the complex's construction manager, pledged quick action.

"We're on it. Tomorrow morning--at some point tomorrow -- somebody'll be on this to repair it," he said.

Storms rocked the region this morning, sending commuters scrambling for cover at the Tenleytown Metro station. In some cases, plastic bags served as umbrellas -- though trying to stay dry proved pointless.

"It was a very big mess!" said one hurried commuter.

In the Ravenwood section of Fairfax County (web | news) , part of a tree came down on a power line, cutting off electricity on an extremely muggy day.

That's OK, I come from Asia so warm is alright with me!" said Phyllis Scherper, a Falls Church resident.

After an early morning downpour, there was the lull as the temperature climbed to near 90 degrees and the humidity spiked. But the calm wouldn't last long. The region remains under a severe thunderstorm watch until 9 p.m. and a flash flood watch until 11 p.m.

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