PRESS RELEASE
Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO) is currently working to restore power to more than 10,700 customer-members who were affected by the winter 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 Charles County and southern Prince George’s County; more than 9,500 customers in that region were without power as of noon, Wednesday, February 14. More than 1,200 customers in Calvert County and about 23 customers in St. Mary’s County were also affected by the storm.
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 will arrive from Pike Electrical contractors in North Carolina. An additional seven crews of 20 people from co-ops on the eastern shore and Delaware will also assist with power restoration.
To report outages and downed power lines, customers may call 1-888-440-3311. 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.
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.