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UPDATE: BGE Making Progress in Restoring Power

Nearly 60,000 residents are still without power in Anne Arundel County and it could be days before power is fully restored.

 

UPDATE (5:30 p.m.)—Many people in Anne Arundel County went to sleep Saturday night hoping that they'd wake up with power. For some, that actually happened but there are still nearly 60,000 county residents without power on Sunday.

On Saturday night, Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) still showed more than 93,000 outages in Anne Arundel County on the online outage map. On Sunday afternoon, the map showed 58,655 outages—with more than 70,000 customers' power restored since the start of the restoration effort on Friday.

Anne Arundel County opened cooling centers on Friday and added Annapolis High School after the storm. The school, located at 2700 Riva Rd., will stay open as a cooling center from 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. The four police district community rooms are also available as cooling centers 24/7.

In addition, the two county swim centers—located at 2690 Riva Rd. in Annapolis and 7888 Crain Highway in Glen Burnie—will be open again for those seeking a shower from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.

Anne Arundel County Public Library branches are closed on Sunday following their regular schedule.

Gov. Martin O'Malley issued a state of emergency order in Maryland on Saturday. Patch reported that action gives the state flexibility to activate the Maryland National Guard and provide assistance to local emergency managers, if necessary. 

According to a press release from BGE, more than 2,000 utility workers are either actively working to restore power or are on their way to central Maryland. The effort to restore power is expected to continue throughout the upcoming week.

"BGE’s balanced approach to restoring electric service prioritizes outages affecting public safety and critical infrastructure in all parts of its service area, however, the backbone of the utility’s electric distribution system, its 33 kilovolt (kV) power lines, which supply power to substations, sustained significant damage," said Jeannette M. Mills, vice president and chief customer officer for BGE, in a press release. "Those lines must be repaired or replaced before any of the equipment downstream can be repaired. As a result, outage durations have been extended for some customers.

"Given the scope and magnitude of the damage we’re seeing thus far, we fully anticipate restoration activities to extend deep into this week.”

BGE encourages customers to report outages and downed wires by calling 877-778-2222 but said customers should only report their outage once.

Traffic Signals
The Maryland Emergency Management Agency reminds drivers that when traffic lights are out, treat them as a four-way stop.

Limit Unnecessary Water Usage
The county's water is safe to drink, according to the Department of Public Works. Residents in the north and west sections of Anne Arundel County and the city of Annapolis are being asked to limit water usage until 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.

Assistance for Pets
The county announced that Animal Control will be open as a cooling center for pets from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday, but animals have to be in a crate. If the owners don't have one, the animal must be on a leash and Animal Control will find a crate for them. 

Animal Control will provide water, but owners are asked to bring their own bowl, food and anything else they might need for the animal. Owners must also stay with their pets.

In addition, PetSmart is offering their stores as pet cooling stations.

Annapolis PetSmart
2601 Housley Rd., Annapolis
Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday
Water for pets available, restrooms available
Pets must be on a leash
Contact: Terri Lee at 410-571-8646

Glen Burnie PetSmart
24 Mountain Rd., Glen Burnie
Open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Monday through Saturday
Water for pets available, restrooms available
Pets must be on a leash
Contact: Jennifer Sexton, 410-766-6190

See also:

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Related Topics: Power Outages Anne Arundel and derecho

Linda Smoot

10:26 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012

What about those people on septic and well? What are we suppose to do? Who is providing us water and laundry facilities?

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Calique

12:29 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

Why does "someone" have to provide this for you? You're probably an adult, why not get off your laptop and be a self-sufficient responsible grown-up and work something out for yourself.

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Melanie

6:12 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

forecasters have been telling us since Isabelle how to prepare for an event such as this one ie: water, food, GENERATOR. I think you've been watching too much T.V. and Tide commercials from the hurricane events south. We are not nearly as bad as what happened in New Orleans. Give me a break!

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Susan Jenkins

12:40 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012

Linda, where are you located? We can try to find something near you.

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Ronald

8:21 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

If you have laundry issues after less than a day your problems are bigger than the power outages. Try bottled water, boiling i on your grill or adding iodine. And don't forget to give thanks that you are not in a 3rd world country.

Billie Aisquith

2:50 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012

you will notice on the bge map, south county does not have a lot of outages marked, and if you call now,(couldnt leave a message before) they say that we didnt think there was a problem and we have no idea when they will get to us!!!! We called on friday nite, at 11:30 and they thought it was fixed.

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lysa m

3:50 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012

What about Baltimore City??? I have not seen one BGE truck in my area yet...we have alot of street lights out...down wires ....and trees everywhere..stores closed...gas stations closed..its bad....I haven't seen any change in the city...how long is the wait??? There's know answer when you call customer service ..zip 21229

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Mark Anders

4:37 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012

lysa m - You have to understand how the power grid works before you complain about not seeing any trucks. First they have to restore the high power transmission lines, then they have to restore the power lines from substations before they can even come out to the local streets. It makes no sense to fix the poles and lines when no power is coming to them anyway.

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Anna Staver

7:10 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012

I have deleted a comment from this thread due to the use of improper language. I understand that people are frustrated by not having any power, but the use of inappropriate language violates our terms of service. It will be removed.

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Jimmie

7:22 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012

How is the Bowie/Glenn Dale area progress coming along? It always seems that we are the last ones in pg county to get connected.

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Chet Brewer

8:00 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012

It would sure be nice if BGE would put out accurate information about when power would be on and what the problem is. So far I have been told 9 pm last night, 530 pm today, and now 9 pm today. Got the same stuff after hurricane. No information and inaccurate information really isn't acceptable, but at least it's not Pepco

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aaron

8:07 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012

Im in Brooklyn park in aa county all the streets arou.d us have power but mine I have 6 kids &4 dogs 2 kids with asthma can I call someone to get and inhaler as we just Moved and my son cant find his or should I just take him to er and sit for hours

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Ronald

8:19 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

Yes to the ER and try tying the inhaler around his chest. You choose to have this many kids and dogs - DEAL WITH IT.

Teresa Hand

9:15 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012

When will Mayo road in Glen Burnie Park get their power back on it ha sbeen out. Since friday night at 10:30

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Ronald

8:18 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

As soon as possible. Deal with it.

Treeca

9:56 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012

This is unacceptable at best. I realize BGE may well be doing their best but at least five an accurate estimate. First it was 8:00 pm tonite; now it is as soon as possible. The street and traffic lights have been working for the past three hours two blocks away. It doesn't add up. Why are we paying such a premium for such substandard service? ???

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Ronald

8:18 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

Service is good. Planning sucks. This is what happens when lines are above ground. Wait until our infrastructure is really attacked and see what happens.

Anita

10:03 pm on Sunday, July 1, 2012

I didn't see anything about Baltimore county. I will call my vet tomorrow if the electricity isn't back on. My dog isn't handling it well since he's diabetic.

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Ronald

8:17 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

Trythe ASPCA or Human Society (they are open).

voice of the poor

1:54 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

Its sad what about Baltimore city where low income families lives some people haven't eating anything since friday and people are worried about freaking dogs and cats its a heat wave out here people have lost food due to power outages

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Ronald

8:16 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

Couldn't agree more. Why not ice and water trucks like the good old days? How about community block parties with b-b-q and grills outside? How about canned and packaged goods. Not all food has to be cooked.

Justin

5:18 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

I appreciate the work from BGE, but give me a break I live in 4 Seasons during the last storm we were last to get power restored and the same is happening again. Our power lines are underground, so why did we loose power, and why are we always last. Can 4 Seasons for once get priority, I hate you BGE!!! Oh, and I have been on hold 54 minutes

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Ronald

8:13 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

I have an idea. Let's keep allowing More and More and More apartments to be built in AA County since the infrastructure is soooooo good here.

BGE - THANK YOU for working overtime on this. Portable generators are on sale everywhere.

AND A BIG THANK YOU TO PETCO AND THE COUNTY FOR TAKING CARE OF OUR PETS!!!!!

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Jerry Klinken

8:25 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

It seems every time we have a weather event BGE has to rebuild it's infrastructure - at great expense. What's it going to take to get them to start running lines underground? Expensive, yes, but it would seem like a good investment and it would give us all more reliable service. I'm running a generator as I type this. We have such unreliable service in Davidsonville that you can't live without one. Now I'm thinking of upgrading to a whole-house generator. Is it this bad everywhere, or just where there are trees? By the way, thanks to the workers out there repairing the mess.

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John

8:53 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

I consider myself very lucky after talking to a lot of people yesterday when we went down to Bowie yesterday for some shopping. Almost all lights are still out on Rt 3 as are the businesses.

We hit BJ's which is on generator power and two employees we spoke to not only still don't have power in their homes, but it's not due to get fixed until July 6th. Another friend of mine also said PEPCO (note: not BGE) also said his power wouldn't be restored until the 6th.

Most of this is an antiquated power system that unfortunately would cost untold billions to upgrade.

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aaron

9:10 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

Hey Ronald I I deal with it very well. this is a place to ask for suggestions not for people to be smart asses and we're doing just fine with our generaters going and our pool staying nice and cool pitch a tent in the yard for the kids and dogs so we were not sleeping in a hot house. I am very grateful and everyone else should be to bge is working around the clock to restore service for everyone. they're not home with their families they are out working in the heat around the clock so everyone else needs to stop whining and just deal with it. this site is supposed to be a site for advice not for criticism or 4 complain. be grateful for what you do have because some people live without power and water everyday of their lives

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Rebecca

9:16 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

We moved here from Indiana where almost all power lines are underground so NEVER had to deal with this constant "multiple day restoration" process we have to endure from BG&E. In 20 years out there I can't even remember losing power for more than 10 minutes or so.

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Kevin

9:35 am on Monday, July 2, 2012

Does anyone know if Sandy point state park is re-opened?

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Ann Drenner

12:02 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

Seems that Davidsonville is always last what about the horses that need water please let us be soon can only get water if brought I on truck when available

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John

12:54 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

Off topic but relevant - we have FIOS and everything's fine but our neighbors who stuck with Comcast are out.

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Thomas Wenz

5:00 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

Why is everyone complaining so much? My neighbors had a tree fall through their house and they're not complaining half as much as y'all.

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Melanie

6:25 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

Thank you, Ronald, Aaron, Thomas! I have a family of BGE employees and while a large number are out of a convenience, I am out two of my family members who have been working 16 hour days (in the 100+ heat) to get these complainers' electricity back on. If you have a medical condition, or large family or animals that need care, GET A GENERATOR! Everyone has been bombarded since Isabelle with ways to BE PREPARED!!! It's time people take some responsibility for taking care of themselves. As far as the "we're always last" whining, how do you know where you fall in the scheme of electric restoration? There are a lot of variables involved in restoring power and these whiners need to be more informed. As for asking when you will be back on, the person you are speaking to at BGE really doesn't know, either. It's simply a guesstimate on their part, so stop asking. It will come on when it comes on! When you see someone working on the road to helping you get your power back on.... THANK THEM!!

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Bruce Dixon

10:22 pm on Monday, July 2, 2012

Thanks linemen I am now cooling off as you sweat bullets to get everyone else back on the grid!!

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Kim Ritter

8:52 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Thanks BGE for working so hard to restore our power. Ours just came back on about an hour ago, and as inconvenient as the last 4 days have been, I am well aware that it could have been much worse. Our food has spoiled but my family, pets and house are all ok

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Carroll Burrows

9:51 pm on Tuesday, July 3, 2012

Our power went off Friday night at around 11:00 p.m June 29. A very kind neighbor let us share his generator to keep our food cold, we monitored a generator for the folks across the street who had to leave town, many neighbors walked thru the neighborhood making sure that everyone was ok - offers of help were made daily, my sister-in-law and brother-in-law - who had power - couldn't have been kinder...they had us over for dinner several times, we showered there, YES, coffee, ice and gas were a bit hard to come by at first but we all survived and pitched in to make do. Tonight at 7:45 p.m. July 3 we pulled into our Edgewater Beach community and there were BG&E trucks everywhere - we were greeted by a BG&E Rep. who said please go to your home and see if you have power - if you don't come back here and we'll make sure you get it....we went home...WE HAVE POWER!!! HOORAY!!! MANY THANKS BG&E AND ALL YOUR OUT OF STATE HELPERS!!! GREAT JOB!!! It was a challenge for everyone but we're all safe and well. Thank God. There are a lot of good people in this town.....thanks to everyone who helped lend a hand. Carroll B.

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