<P> Less than a day after the attack began , a sudden , very heavy thunderstorm -- possibly a hurricane -- put out the fires . It also spun off a tornado that passed through the center of the capital , setting down on Constitution Avenue and lifting two cannons before dropping them several yards away , killing British troops and American civilians alike . Following the storm , the British returned to their ships , many of which were badly damaged . The occupation of Washington lasted only about 26 hours . After the `` Storm that saved Washington '' , as it soon came to be called , the Americans were able to regain control of the city . </P>
<P> Less than a day after the attack began , a sudden , very heavy thunderstorm -- possibly a hurricane -- put out the fires . It also spun off a tornado that passed through the center of the capital , setting down on Constitution Avenue and lifting two cannons before dropping them several yards away , killing British troops and American civilians alike . Following the storm , the British returned to their ships , many of which were badly damaged . The occupation of Washington lasted only about 26 hours . After the `` Storm that saved Washington '' , as it soon came to be called , the Americans were able to regain control of the city . </P>
what made the british disperse after the burning of washington
what made the british disperse after the burning of washington
very heavy thunderstorm
very heavy thunderstorm