On February, Sunday 16, Bel Air, Maryland experienced wind gusts going 15-20mph.
These gusts and the storm caused severe damage in the state of Maryland, such as several fallen trees, including one that struck a house and outages causing traffic signals to lose power, and more than 300 calls to 911. However, “No injuries have been reported”, according to Bel Air Police Chief, Charles Moore.
There have also been reported wind gusts as high as 76mph in the Baltimore-DC area. An Abingdon, Maryland resident recalls seeing “Royal Farms, Exxon, Aldi’s, Seven Eleven, and Giant,” all closed down due to the power outages.
If you experience a power outage, first check your surroundings to see if it’s a local issue. Ready.gov then recommends reporting the outage to your utility company and unplugging all your non-essential appliances and electronics to prevent surges. They also do not suggest using your gas stove or oven to heat your home, because it can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. These outages can be reported to BGE by calling 1 -877-778-2222, or text OUT to MYBGE (69243).