On Sunday, powerful wind gusts toppled trees and powerlines, knocking out power across the Baltimore region.
A high wind warning was issued for most of Maryland until 10 p.m. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph were expected in certain areas of the state.
BGE power outages
According to BGE’s power outage map, more than 79,000 Maryland customers were without power as of 11 p.m.
Baltimore County has over 25,000 power outages, while Anne Arundel County has nearly 21,000, Carroll County has nearly 4,200, Baltimore City has nearly 10,000, Harford County has nearly 6,000, and Howard County has nearly 7,000.
“Strong damaging winds with widespread gusts today have damaged electric equipment throughout BGE’s service area,” the company stated in a press release. “Damage includes downed wires, broken poles, downed trees, limbs and other debris.”
According to BGE, staffing has been increased to help restore power. However, trees and debris must be cleared before the damaged equipment can be repaired.
“This is a labor- and time-intensive process which can extend the duration of certain outages,” the company stated.”The safety of BGE employees, contractors, and customers is our top priority.”\
High winds make certain types of work, such as bucket truck repairs, impossible to complete safely. In that case, BGE will resume service as soon as it is safe to do so.”
BGE says it expects to restore power to the majority of customers on Monday, with hospitals and other public safety concerns taking priority. The utility company will then focus on areas with the highest number of power outages before moving on to smaller clusters.
“Many of our employees are in here working right now,” said Steven Singh, BGE’s VP of Electric Operations. “We are working around the clock to make sure that we’re safely getting them back on as quickly as possible.”
Destruction caused by heavy wind gusts
In the 3600 block of Wabash Avenue in Baltimore, a tree crashed in the middle of the street and blocked traffic.
“I heard the weather report this morning that there would probably be 50 mph winds, and it could produce something like what just happened in front of my door,” said neighbor William Anthony Young Sr. “You never expected it to happen in front of you. I’m just grateful it didn’t get the house.”
A tree crashed into a house on Rockwood Avenue in Baltimore.
“Typically, with a, you know, a normal storm, you only see one to 200 pieces of damage,” Singh told me. “In this storm, we’re seeing over 2,000.”
A downed tree forced the suspension of Light Rail train service between Timonium and North avenues. A shuttle bus service was provided between the stations.
Bay Bridge reopens
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge has reopened after drivers were stuck in traffic for more than two hours due to a high wind warning in Maryland, according to the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA).
The bridge was closed in both directions on Sunday due to wind gusts exceeding 50 mph.
