Storm knocks out power, closing two Sandy Spring schools

Monday, May 12, 2008

Storm knocks out power, closing two Sandy Spring schools

by C. Benjamin Ford | Staff Writer

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A rainstorm that began Sunday night and is expected to continue through much of the day caused scattered power outages that have closed two county schools and that left several cars stalled in high water on Edwards Ferry Road near Poolesville.

The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service staged several water rescue teams at stations as a precaution, said spokesman Pete A. Piringer.

The fire department received a call about 8:30 p.m. Sunday of a car overturned in high water near Poolesville. When rescuers arrived they didn’t find anyone in danger, but did find several cars stalled in the high water covering the road.

‘‘Never try to drive through high water,” Piringer said. Tow trucks were already on the scene pulling the cars out, he said.

Electric companies were still working Monday morning to restore power. Pepco had 3,774 customers without power, BG&E had two and Allegheny Power had 34.

‘‘Now that the winds have diminished, our crews are working on a full restoration throughout the area,” said Pepco spokesman Clay Anderson. About 12,000 Pepco customers were without power throughout the region, including in Prince George’s County and Washington, he said.

Due to power outages, Sherwood High School and Sherwood Elementary School, both in Sandy Spring, closed early on Monday, according to a news release from Montgomery County Public Schools.

The schools have no power in their buildings, the release stated. Sherwood High School students were released at 9:30 a.m. Monday, and Sherwood Elementary School students will be released at 10:30 a.m. Bus transportation is being provided for students who usually ride the bus.

Staff Writer Erin Donaghue contributed to this report.