PRESS RELEASE
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) is currently working to restore power to customer-members who were affected by the Valentine’s Day storm. Freezing rain and ice caused outages throughout the Southern Maryland area, bringing down trees and power lines.
With colder temperatures and high winds expected for this evening and tomorrow, further damage to SMECO’s electric system may occur. Ice on trees and power lines may cause additional power outages. Customer-members should prepare for the possibility of overnight outages.
Damage from the winter storm is concentrated in the Charles-Prince George’s region, where more than 7,400 customers were without power as of 5 p.m., Wednesday, February 14. At that hour, approximately 1,000 customers in Calvert County and about 120 customers in St. Mary’s County were also without power. These estimates reflect the accomplishment of many people who worked throughout the day to restore electric service to more than 10,000 customers who were without power earlier in the day.
All available SMECO personnel and resources are focused on restoring power in as quickly and safely a manner as possible. SMECO crews began making repairs early this morning and additional crews have been called in to assist with the restoration efforts. Ten crews with 65 crew members were called in from Pike Electrical contractors in North Carolina. An additional seven crews of 20 people from co-ops on the eastern shore and Delaware are also assisting with power restoration.
To report outages and downed power lines, customers may call 1-888-440-3311 or 1-877-747-6326. Downed power lines are dangerous. People should stay away from downed lines and anything that may be touching a power line. Customers are encouraged to use flashlights during an outage, not candles, because candles may cause fires.
According to information from local emergency preparedness departments, Charles County will open a shelter at Thomas Stone High School as of 6 p.m., Wednesday, where residents may also bring their pets. Prince George’s County has opened warming centers at the fire station in Accokeek located at 1611 Livingston Road and at the fire station in Brandywine located at 14201 Brandywine Road. Calvert County Emergency Operations Center is opening the Huntingtown High School, 4125 North Solomons Island Road, Huntingtown, as a shelter as of 4 p.m. today.
SMECO thanks all of its customer-members for their patience while crews work to restore service. Customers may obtain updates from the Co-op’s website at www.smeco.coop.