Bemeka Sirko said she was shocked at the devastation caused by a lightning strike Tuesday afternoon that sparked a fire and destroyed her home in the Stillmeadows neighborhood in Severn.

Neighbors said they saw a bright flash followed by a thunderous boom at about 5 p.m., as dark clouds rolled through the region delivering heavy rain, strong winds and lightning strikes.

"We have nothing," Sirko said Wednesday afternoon. "It feels very … we are homeless; we have nothing. We feel like … we are just glad to be alive."

Joseph Parks was in his bedroom across Parham Court Tuesday afternoon when...