Wind Knocks Out Power, Tosses Trucks, Rips Away Scaffolding | Patch PM

Stories to share this evening:

Wind Snaps Power Across Region, Tosses Trucks, Downs Scaffolding

High winds across the region overnight and early Monday knocked out power to nearly 12,000 homes across the region, delaying the start of school for the region's largest school system. Scaffolding tumbled from buildings downtown. In Maryland, where winds neared hurricane force, two tractor trailers were flipped in the wind.

Read more:

• Huge Wind Gust Blows Scaffolding Off House on Capitol Hill [Photos]
• Chaos in Rosslyn: High Winds Cause Power Outages, Huge Traffic Problems Monday
• Nearly 12,000 Without Power Monday Morning in Northern Virginia Due to High Winds
• Two Tractor-Trailers Flip Near Tydings Bridge Amid Wind, Fog: MDTA
• Massive Near-Hurricane Wind Gust Reported in PG County

Divorce? Find Laughter, Healing with Coloring Book by Northern VA Resident

Valentine's Day is upon us this week and if you're recently divorced and can't find anything to smile about, cheer up. Local author Debbie MacDougall and artist Ian Stinson have created "Divorce: The Comic Coloring Book," designed to help cure your blues. >>> Read more.

Wow House: 1830s Smithsonia In Downtown Fredericksburg

Inside one of the top homes on the market in Northern Virginia. >>> Read more.

Zero Fatal Crashes Over Super Bowl Weekend in Virginia: Police

• Virginia State Police cited 11 drivers for DUI in Northern Virginia over Super Bowl weekend.

Taco Bell Withdraws Plan to Build in Alexandria After Uproar from Neighbors

• After community fought back, telling City planners a new restaurant would create traffic and other problems, application was withdrawn.

Computer Corruption Email Scam Dupes Woman in Fairfax: Police

• An email instructed her to call a number to fix the problem, according to Fairfax Police, and a man told her he needed her credit card info.

Patch PM shares a few of the day’s must-read items from our Va. and D.C. networks. The Patch community platform covers communities across the area.