UPDATE: Storm Leaves Power Outages, Fallen Trees in County
It could take days to restore power to more than 93,000 residents after a severe storm swept through Anne Arundel County on Friday night.
UPDATE (9:25 p.m.)—A wind and rain storm that many weren't expecting hit Anne Arundel County about 10 p.m. Friday and roared through the area leaving toppled trees, scattered debris and power outages.
On Saturday just before 6 p.m., Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) showed more than 93,000 outages in the county—with power restored to nearly 18,000 customers since Friday—on the BGE online outage map. At 9:25 p.m., the map showed that 28,758 had power restored.
BGE warned that it could take days to fully restore power. More than 500 out-of-state utility workers will assist but BGE said the majority of those resources will not be available until Monday and Tuesday.
The Washington Post reported there is a possibility for more severe storms in the region with wind in excess of 75 mph on Saturday between 5 and 10 p.m.
Residents in the north and west sections of Anne Arundel County and the city of Annapolis are being asked to limit water usage between now and July 2 due to a loss of power at water treatment facilities. This request is to ensure there is adequate water pressure for firefighters or other emergency operations.
Only one fatality has been reported so far in the county: An Edgewater man died late Friday night after a large tree fell on the vehicle he was driving. High winds and heavy rains were reported in the area at the time of the incident just before midnight.
The Maryland Transportation Authority Police reported that the high winds toppled a tractor trailer on the Bay Bridge around 11:20 p.m., shutting down both spans of the bridge, according to The Baltimore Sun.
Odenton-Severn Patch reported on outages and weather conditions in the area: The National Weather Service announced a severe thunderstorm watch Friday night, and said wind of more than 70 miles an hour had been reported in parts of the region.
"This kind of fast-moving, long-lived, large, and violent thunderstorm complex is known as a derecho," reported The Washington Post.
Annapolis Patch features a photo from Friday night where lightning appears to strike the statehouse.
More than 420,000 total customers in the Baltimore metropolitan area lost power, according to BGE. Outages could take several days to restore.
To report a power outage to BGE, call 877-778-2222.
Closures reported in Anne Arundel County:
- The following Anne Arundel County Public Library branches are closed due to no power: Provinces, West County, Broadneck, Maryland City, South County and Severna Park.
- On the Broadneck peninsula, Sandy Point State Park announced on Saturday morning that the park is closed until further notice due to storm damage and a power outage.
See also:
- Where to Find Dry Ice
- Gov. O'Malley To Declare State of Emergency
- O'Malley: State Assessing Severe Storm Damage
- County Cooling Centers To Stay Open Through Weekend
Share your storm photos with Patch by clicking "Upload Photos and Videos."
What did you see with last night's storm? Tell us in the comments.
Susan Jenkins
1:22 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012
Need water? The county's Department of Public Works will open a water filling station at the Broadcreek Water Treatment Plant located at 165 Harry Truman Parkway in Annapolis (near the MVA). Bring your own containers or bottles to fill with water until 7:30 p.m. Saturday.
Ronald
2:04 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
Thanks for the update. Wish I had it before I lost power and an internet connection.
Mike B.
8:01 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012
Picked a good weekend to be out of town at a Lacrosse tournament.
Judi Foster
10:05 pm on Saturday, June 30, 2012
Can anyone tell me if there is damage in Magothy Beach, and if so, how bad?
Dr. Dave
2:25 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012
Lightning striking the Statehouse is perhaps a little payback signal for what the Statehouse did to the taxpayers during the past regular and special sessions. Not that any of our entitled officials in the ruling politburo will understand the message.
Bill Long
12:13 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
My Sprint cell phone hasn't worked since the storm hit. Anybody else experienced this?
Ronald
2:03 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
My worked great. I think it depends opn the tower you are working with.
John Holmes
1:49 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
My AT/T phone works great!
John Holmes
1:59 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
You've probably lost power to the radio tower for Sprint in your area and there's no backup generator or it failed to start with the loss of power
Ronald
2:02 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
I fully understand power outages and the resources it takes to repair damages that are primarliy caused because BGE likes everything above ground rather than buried BUT I resnt being told over and over again that my power will be back on at 7:30 am - then 1 PM, - then 5 PM - then 7:30 PM - then 8:30 PM - then as soon as possible - then 1 AM - then 5 AM - then as soon as possible. Biggest bucnh of crap and lies I have ever heard in an obvious attempt to avoid fines and public outrage. How about just saying 'we have no damn idea and if you don't like it buy solar panels or generators'. Next is the 'request' for an increase in rates because they have to pay trople time to union employees from out-of-state.
Does anyone ever tell the truth anymore?
Ronald
2:06 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012
THE biggest help I, and a lot of people received, in the Piney Orchard area was the Pit Beef place selling 20# bags of ice for only $3 (their cost I believe). Nicest people in town and best pit beef I ever had. Thank you Pit Beef for your community assistance and help (Food Lion quickly sold out their 20# ice at $4.50 a bag) and didn't re-stock.
Janet Allman
9:30 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
I am a seasonal resident and want to know if anyone has any information about Southaven Estates or Heritage Harbor area. Any information would be great to know since we do not get much information about the Annapolis area, mostly hear about Baltimore and DC. Thanks in advance
C.A. Dennis
9:32 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012
Is there power in Ann Arundel county ( area of Big Vanilla on Ritchie Hwy ) as of yet ? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks !
ONESHOTCOWGIRL
1:04 pm on Wednesday, July 4, 2012
I agree and believe that it is best to have buried wires. I live here at Chesapeake Yachting Center here in middle river. We have been shut down except to boaters that have enough fuel to boat to another fuel dock since you can't pump fuel here due to shut down. Edwards lane is still shut down, fortunately CYC opened up and allowed neighbors to pass thru his property since the storm. Otherwise many would of been stuck. Its going on 6 Days and I still find myself turning on a light switch! The great black out at CYC. This is one for the books. Oh, and many thanks to the BGE staff and in and out of state assistance. You rock!. I know you are all doing your best and working long hours in this incredible heat and humidity. Drink plenty of fluids.