Baltimore & Anne Arundel Counties Survey Storm Damage, Begin Cleanup
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Hundreds of thousands of people are waiting for the power to come back on after this weekend's deadly storm sent trees crashing to the ground and cutting power lines. Now, there's widespread damage.
Meghan McCorkell has more on what's being done in Baltimore County.
From high above to down below, it's a massive cleanup effort as neighbors try to beat the heat. Friday's storm left Baltimore County battered.
"The winds were so strong. It felt like something we never felt before," said Rich Talbott.
He and his wife ran to the basement. When the storm passed, they found a tree in their house.
"The whole tree had come down. It was leaning against our addition on the back and went into the roof," he said.
Another tree took out a fence and landed on the roof of a car.
"That's been bad luck over there because that's the second or third time a tree's fallen over there. We were like, 'Again!'" said Joe Oddo.
One tree service company says they've gotten more calls about this storm than they did for all of Hurricane Irene.
"Lot of trees on houses, trees on cars, trees across driveways. People can't get out," said Derek Bauer, A-AAA Tree Service.
Gary Sunderland is waiting for a tree service to come out. A branch--held just by a wire--is precariously hanging over his house.
"Hoping no other storms come in!" Sunderland said.
Another concern is keeping cool.
"My neighbor John's got MS. He's in a wheelchair. I just came back down to check and see if he needed power," said Jamie Snider.
In Anne Arundel County, thousands are waiting for BGE crews to reach their street. As Gigi Barnett reports, they're also waiting for the Fourth of July holiday that may be celebrated in the dark.
The weight of downed trees snapped power lines in one Linthicum neighborhood. Residents are waiting for BGE to take action.
In Severna Park, these long-time neighbors have been in the dark since the fierce winds rolled through the area Friday night. They're trying to get through the heat.
"We've been leaving the doors open and the windows open and then sitting out here under the tree," said Pardalia Sullivan.
They sit under a centuries-old oak tree, hoping for a breeze and waiting for electricity.
"We try to cope. That's all you can do. We're still blessed because we still have our homes. Some limbs came down out of one of these humongous trees and it went the opposite direction," said Joann Cager.
For some neighbors, this weekend's storm has put a damper on their Fourth of July holiday. Others say they'll find a way to celebrate.
"We're just going to make sure we salvage the food. That way we can still have it," she said.
BGE customers can call 877-778-2222 to report outages and downed power lines.
Baltimore solid waste drop-off centers are open until 3 p.m. for storm debris. Residents can also call 311 to request pick-up service.
