http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/press/PR_details.asp?PrID=8634 For Immediate Release: 6/30/2012 Summer Storm Update from Montgomery County: June 30, 5:20 PM REPORTING: * Montgomery County’s MC311 Call Center is open. Because of continuing power outage problems, residents must call, for the time being, either 240-777-0311 or 240-777-6000 to reach the Call Center. Residents can also report downed trees and other non-emergency issues by using the web portal at www.mc311.com either through home or office computers or through mobile devices. · To report “hot” or sparkling wires, especially those across roadways, call 911. · To report power outages, call Pepco at 877-737-2662, Allegheny Power at 800-255-3443, or Baltimore Gas & Electric at 877-778-2222. ADVICE: * If you do not need to be out after dark, stay at home. Continued power outrages, downed trees, and dark traffic signals make nighttime travel hazardous for motorists and pedestrians. * Treat all “dark” intersections as four-way stops. Stop – then proceed cautiously. This is critically important to ensuring vehicular and pedestrian safety. * Residents with generators should ensure that generators remain in well-ventilated, outside spaces to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Residents using chainsaws should exercise maximum caution to avoid downed wires. · Residents are reminded to check on their neighbors, especially seniors. · Sign up for Alert Montgomery to receive emergency information directly. https://alert.montgomerycountymd.gov/index.php?CCheck=1 DEALING WITH THE HEAT & POWER OUTAGES: * Montgomery County has opened three “cooling shelters” at Richard Montgomery High School (250 Richard Montgomery Drive in Rockville), Clarksburg High School (22500 Wims Road in Clarksburg) and White Oak Recreation Center, (1700 April Lane in White Oak.) Bring prescription medicines, critical phone numbers, and any comfort items such as personal pillows. FOOD SAFETY: * Food is safe in your refrigerator if the power has been off no more than four hours. After that, discard perishables such as meat, poultry, soft cheese, eggs, leftovers. Check out www.fsis.usda.gov/fact_sheets/keeping_food_Safe_during_an_emergency/index.asp for more details and a chart. * A full freezer can keep food frozen for 48 hours after a loss of power. A half-full freezer can keep food frozen for 24 hours. THE SITUATION: · 232,400 Pepco customers remain without power out of 309,000 in Montgomery County following last night’s severe storms. * Montgomery County road crews and contractors are assessing and clearing damage, beginning with primary and secondary roads and then on toneighborhoods, as well as assisting Pepco with downed trees entangled with downed utility lines and wires. · Water conservation is critical. Both the Potomac and Patuxent WSSC water plants are back up but the Wheaton pumping station is not. In the meantime, the WSSC has issued mandatory water restrictions for residents to ensure that a sufficient supply of water is available for fire fighting and other needs while repairs are underway. Customers are being asked to stop all outside water use. No watering lawns or washing cars. Limit flushing toilets and postpone use of washing machines and dishwashers. Use water only as necessary. · 500 out of 800 traffic signals are still without power across the County. · Ride On buses are operating, but there are delays due to detours as the result of downed trees and wires. * Residents who have cats or dogs and who are going to a County shelter can drop off their pets at the Humane Society Shelter at 14645 Rothgeb Drive in Rockville. If it is possible to call first, call the emergency number at 240-773-5900. After 5:00 p.m. today when the shelter has closed for walk-in service, those arriving at the shelter should use the front door buzzer to gain admittance. * All scheduled Recreational Department programs and activities are cancelled. Residents are advised to call the pools and/or recreation centers directly for schedules and availability. Community use activities scheduled for Montgomery County Public Schools are cancelled. * There has been one fatality in the County, when a tree fell last night on a house in the 10000 block of Grant Avenue in Silver Spring. · Another round of storms is expected in the area during this evening. # # # Release ID: 12-181 Media Contact: Patrick Lacefield 240-777-6504

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