Harford Opens Emergency Line For those Without Power

HARFORD COUNTY, MD — With thousands of residents without power days after Winter Storm Riley, Harford County Executive Barry Glassman has opened an information line to connect residents in need with resources. The emergency information line is at 410-838-5800.

More than 15,000 people in Maryland are without power as of 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, according to BGE. Approximately 2,732 of those are in Harford County. Crews from 14 states and Canada are working on restoration, which the utility company advised may be slow since those customers still without power are in areas that may require labor-intensive work.

Harford County employees will provide information about resources for daily living until BGE has restored power.

The line will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, March 6, 2018. It was also open Monday, March 5. Contact 410-838-5800 for information. For emergencies, please continue to dial 911.

Several agencies in the county have offered to provide showers for members of the public.

Places To Shower For Those Without Power

YMCA– The Ward Y in Abingdon, 101 Walter Ward Blvd., Abingdon, MD 21009

Planet Fitness in Aberdeen (ID and sign-in at front desk required; no one under 18), 1008-1022 Beards Hill Rd., Aberdeen, MD 21001

Bel Air Athletic Club (citizens must call first 410-838-2670), 658 Boulton Street, Bel Air, MD, 21014

After the nor'easter whipped through the mid-Atlantic states on Friday, there were more than 415,000 in Maryland without power.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency beginning Friday, March 2, in the wake of damaging winds resulting in power outages, downed trees and dangerous travel conditions across the state. The executive order will allow the state to coordinate support and help local jurisdictions.

Harford County Executive Barry Glassman declared a local state of emergency as well at 10 p.m. on Friday, March 2, due to widespread power outages, downed trees and hazardous travel conditions. The declaration enables the county to apply for federal funds to pay for storm-related expenses.

“More than 2,800 people, which includes crews in the field, support staff, contractors and over 950 mutual assistance crews have been working tirelessly to fully restore service interrupted by this destructive storm,” Rodney Oddoye, vice president of customer operations and chief customer officer for BGE, said in a statement Monday night. “We understand the hardship that an extended outage can cause for our customers, and appreciate their patience as we work to safely restore power.”

To report outages, here are the contacts:

Harford County officials remind those using generators to ensure they are in well-ventilated areas outside; never bring grills, camping stoves or generators indoors.

SEE ALSO: Harford County Storm: Outages, Road Closures, State Of Emergency

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