High Winds Cause 80K Power Outages In MoCO

Update — Friday's wind storm knocked out power to thousands of homes and businesses throughout Montgomery County, with Pepco reporting more than 80,000 outages shortly after 5 p.m., according to county officials. A Pepco spokesman said the power company is working "around the clock" to restore electricity.

Wind gusts that reached more than 60 mph tore down dozens of trees throughout the county, crashing into homes and cars and taking down power lines. The winds also snarled evening rush-hour traffic as power to traffic lights was knocked out, according to Pete Piringer, a county fire spokesman.

In Bethesda, a mother and daughter narrowly escaped injury on Friday afternoon. As they drove past a large tree on Moorland Lane and Clarendon Road, it fell over and struck their RAV4, trapping them inside.

The mother and daughter were able to extricate themselves from the SUV, Piringer said in a tweet.

As of Friday afternoon, the Montgomery County Highway Services office reported 31 road closures, with crews responding to nearly 200 reports of downed trees.

As the wind kept gusting on Friday evening, motorists were cautioned to treat traffic lights that are out of service as four-way stops.

Power Line Safety

Pepco and county officials also warned everyone to stay away from downed power lines. People should avoid touching the downed line with their hands or any other object and avoid touching objects or anyone who is contact with a power line.

If you are driving and come across a power line, you should stay in the car because the ground around the car could be energized. Motorists should turn on an alarm or horn and dial 911 for help.

Always assume downed power lines are energized. To report a downed wire, call 1-877-737-2662. For more information, click here

ROCKVILLE, MD — Friday's wind storm has toppled trees throughout Montgomery County, with many crashing into homes, cars and power lines. Firefighters responded to more than 600 incidents between midnight and noon, most of them weather-related, with some resulting in personal injury and others with significant property damage, said Pete Piringer, a county fire spokesman.

In one incident at about 10:30 a.m. Friday in Kensington, a Park Police car caught fire when a tree fell and brought down live wires on the vehicle. The accident closed down Beach Drive at Knowles Avenue.

One individual was treated for minor injuries from the accident, Piringer said in a tweet.

At around 12:30 p.m. in Chevy Chase, a large tree fell in the 4000 block of Thornapple Street, blocking traffic and taking down power lines. "Pepco has not provided a specific timeframe for tree removal and power restoration," town officials said in a statement.

The high winds and falling trees caused power outages throughout the D.C. area on Friday morning, with Pepco reporting more than 55,000 customers without service. As of 10 a.m., Pepco crews had restored service to about 19,000 customers, with 35,000 without service – 11,000 in the District of Columbia and 26,000 in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties in Maryland.

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More outages may occur as the high winds continue through the day and evening, Pepco said.

FOR MORE: Maryland Nor'Easter: Wind Gust Speeds, Power Outages, Safety Tips

Montgomery County emergency officials urge anyone who sees a tree down to call 911 if the tree has brought down power lines, blocked a roadway or fallen on a structure, or if people are trapped. Otherwise, they should call 311 if the tree has fallen on public property.

To report a power outage, call:

• BG&E - 1-877-778-2222
• First Energy/Potomac Edison - 1-888-544-4877
• Pepco - 1-877-737-2662

Image: A mother and daughter escaped injury on a Bethesda street Friday when a tree fell over and struck their RAV4 (MCFRS).