Kenwood Club golf course reopens after storm cleanup

The golf course at the Kenwood Golf and Country Club in Bethesda reopened yesterday, after damage and debris caused by a thunderstorm Monday night required it to temporarily close. Fallen trees and branches had to be sawed and removed. Regularly-scheduled maintenance that couldn't be performed until the course was cleared also had to be completed once the cleanup was finished. The storm caused many trees to fall across the area, including not far from the club on Whittier Boulevard, and many power outages.

Photos courtesy Kenwood Golf & Country Club

Wind storm causes partial power outage at Bethesda auto dealership

The wind storm that buffeted the area on Sunday and Monday caused a partial power outage at a downtown Bethesda auto dealership. Chevy Chase Cars' Pre-Owned Supercenter had to temporarily close yesterday, after the building lost power. Operations were able to continue elsewhere on the property. Customers were directed to the facility's adjacent Acura showroom, which still had power.

Thousands without power in Bethesda after thunderstorm damages and uproots trees

Pepco crews staging at the 7-Eleven store
on River Road in Bethesda this morning

UPDATE - 7:07 AM: Additional brownouts reported in the Westbard area from 6:49 AM to 6:51 AM, at which time there was a power outage from 6:51 to 7:03 AM, and at 7:04 AM.

Over 10,000 Pepco customers remain without power this morning in Montgomery County, but that number is down about 60,000 from the height of last evening's thunderstorm damage. The weather event, and resulting tree and power line damage, has been one of the few significant tests for Pepco since the electric utility was acquired by Exelon in 2016. Yesterday's storm appeared deceptively routine for late summer, but spawned straight line winds in areas like North Bethesda and Rockville, and had some in Northwest Washington, D.C. reporting a tornado in their community.

Southwest Bethesda neighborhoods like Springfield, Sumner, Wood Acres, Bannockburn and Spring Hill are still experiencing significant power outages. Grid resiliency issues reared their head again in the Westbard area long after skies had cleared Saturday night. Residents there who were fortunate enough to retain power after the storm last night report experiencing brownouts at 2:12 AM and 4:32 AM. The 4:32 AM brownout was an extended one, as after a split-second blackout that ravaged appliance motors, light fixtures were shimmering and flickering until all power was lost around 4:45 AM. Power was then restored around 4:48 AM. Interestingly, both brownout episodes reported seem to coincide with brand new power outages in the Westbard and Wood Acres/Searl Terrace areas, which the Pepco outage map indicates were reported at 2:15 AM (Searl Terrace) and 4:53 AM (Westbard Avenue). This morning's brownouts follow three sunny day brownouts in the Westbard area two weeks ago.

In North Bethesda, apartment building residents reported being in the dark Saturday night, and outages persist around Grosvenor, Garrett Park, Tilden Lane, Randolph Hills and the Randolph Road corridor this morning. Things aren't looking much better in the Twinbrook and Rollins Park areas of Rockville.

Aspen Hill is still smarting today with many outages. Fortunately for those without air conditioning, today's high will "only" be 85 degrees, instead of the 99 degree peak experienced last Friday. Outages also persist around Leisure World, Bel Pre Road, Wheaton, Kensington, Kemp Mill, Takoma Park, Hillandale, Colesville and Fairland. 

The storm appears to have cut a straight path across Montgomery Village, Goshen, and Laytonsville, judging from the large number of outages there. Outages remain in the Kentlands, Montgomery College-Germantown campus, Olney and Sandy Spring areas. 

Tree down on Little Falls Parkway in Bethesda

Gusty winds during a thunderstorm this afternoon have toppled a tree onto Little Falls Parkway in Bethesda. The tree is blocking the southbound lanes between Dorset Avenue and River Road. Northbound lanes are open, but watch for drivers maneuvering around the tree into the northbound side.

Old Georgetown Grille replaces storm-damaged awnings (Photos)

The new awnings arrived and have been installed at Old Georgetown Grille at 7755 Old Georgetown Road in Bethesda. They've got the same retro font, but with better color since they haven't been faded by the sun yet. The blustery winter storm did a number on the awnings at the popular diner a few weeks back.

Blustery day in downtown Bethesda (Photos)

When they said to bring objects indoors due to high wind gusts today, they weren't kidding. The effects of the blustery conditions could be seen in the Woodmont Triangle neighborhood this afternoon. 

A Bethesda Urban Partnership kiosk was blown around by the wind onto the sidewalk, some of its doors damaged by gusts. So was the door of a utility box. Two newspaper boxes were also knocked down. It's a wild and woolly day out there, the telephone weatherman might say, if he hadn't been unlugged by Verizon a few years ago.

Bethesda hit by storm, power outages

A thunderstorm that has just ended caused streets to fill with rushing water, rained torrential downpours and hail, and knocked out power to about 3000 customers across Bethesda. Metro trains are bypassing the Bethesda station due to escalators being down. Shuttle buses have been requested for stranded passengers.

There is standing water on Wilson Lane near Clarendon Road, and power lines are down there. Wires are also down at Old Georgetown Road and Huntington Parkway, where lightning struck a utility pole.

Pepco is estimating restoration of power to customers currently in the dark by 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM.

Storm causes power outage in North Bethesda

Heavy rain and sometimes-gusty winds passed through the D.C. area early this morning. Pepco reports one power outage in the Bethesda area at this hour. The outage is around Executive Boulevard in North Bethesda; Pepco does not identify the specific number of customers affected, but only 39 Pepco customers systemwide are without power at the moment, so it is only a few. Pepco estimates the power will be restored in North Bethesda by 10:00 AM this morning.

Tornado-like destruction in Westgate neighborhood of Bethesda

A fast-moving, nearly-silent storm whisked through Bethesda early this morning around 3:00 AM. It appears to have spawned a small tornado or straight-line wind gust in the Westgate neighborhood off of Massachusetts Avenue.

Trees and limbs were brought down on homes, yards and cars on Newport Avenue at Earlston Drive, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Pete Piringer. I heard the wind, and it sounded highly unusual. I expected there could be a tornado imminent, but never heard the typical roaring sound one would generate. But the wind was one continuous gust that never let up for about 90 seconds. I heard no thunder and saw no lightning.

Photo by Pete Piringer/MCFRS

Late night storm causes power outage in Bethesda

A late night storm pelted Bethesda with hail, rain and gusty winds around 11:20 PM Wednesday night. Pepco reports two power outages in Montgomery County; one is in the Cabin John area south of River Road in Bethesda. About seven customers are affected. Pepco predicts a 2:00 AM Thursday restoration time. The other outage is in the Clarksburg area. Further outages and tree damage are possible overnight, as the winds are continuing even after the storm has passed.

Streetlamp pole falls on car on Woodmont Avenue in Bethesda

The blustery day Friday took its toll on one streetlamp in downtown Bethesda. Around 2:00 PM, a street lamp on Woodmont Avenue near Old Georgetown Road fell onto a vehicle, causing significant window and body damage but no injuries. The pole was between the TD Bank and The Christopher condos, on the right side of the street heading toward Edgemoor Lane.

This is going to be
costly for taxpayers

Montgomery County will be on the hook for the damage, as these Bethesda streetscape lamps are under the jurisdiction of the County's Department of Public Works and Transportation, not Pepco. I was not aware that these were so flimsily-installed as to fall under winds far less than hurricane force.

Streetlamp pole seen
at far right, next to trash can,
before it fell

This is something new to consider when downtown. Is it windy? I wouldn't park near one of these in that case. But what if you are just walking or driving by? The integrity of each of these poles now needs to be checked by DPWT, as this is a real public safety issue. Thank God no one was hurt this time, and the incident may end up preventing future injuries or deaths, if the County uses this warning to secure the others.

Photos courtesy @jsteinerman/Twitter

Bottom photo from Google Street View

Lightning strikes cause power outages in Bethesda

UPDATE: A tree has fallen across the CSX railroad tracks in Garrett Park

An electrical storm with an unusual amount of cloud-to-ground lightning hit Montgomery County around 7:30 tonight, leaving downed trees and power outages in its wake. About 1000 customers are without power at this time. The outages largely correspond to the locations where bolts of lightning were seen touching down during the storm.

Outages were initially located primarily in the River Road and Bradley Boulevard corridors of Bethesda, as well as one in Brookmont. However, outage reports surged after the storm passed, and are now widespread across Bethesda. A major outage covers a wide area between River Road and Democracy Boulevard.

Trees have been reported falling on Harrogate Road, Renshaw Drive, Greentree Road, Crane Terrace, and Alcott Road, and several on Woodhaven Boulevard alone near Bradley, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Services spokesperson Pete Piringer.

River Road is flooded at Counselman Road in Potomac; avoid that area.

Overnight storms knock out power in downtown Bethesda area, Chevy Chase (Photos)

Lightning over Chevy Chase Cars
on Wisconsin Avenue Monday evening

An early evening thunderstorm Monday got a lot of media attention from weather forecasters. But a seemingly-less powerful storm came through early this morning, and caused at least two power outages overnight.

Pepco map of major downtown
Bethesda/Town of Chevy Chase
power outage

One outage knocked out power to over 1000 Pepco customers across a wide swath of downtown Bethesda and the Town of Chevy Chase. The area ran roughly from Bradley Lane to Georgia Street in Chevy Chase, to West Virginia Avenue to the north, and along Wisconsin and Woodmont Avenues to the west.

A second outage affected a small area and 55 customers in Chevy Chase, and was caused by downed power lines, according to Pepco.

BETHESDA STORM DAMAGE PHOTOS + POWER OUTAGE UPDATE

Limb down in downtown Bethesda

Power outages and many fallen tree limbs are the primary evidence of the violent storm that hit Bethesda late this afternoon. One woman was struck by lightning at Old Georgetown Road and Democracy Boulevard. Her injuries were considered non-life-threatening, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesman Pete Piringer.

Thousands are without power in Bethesda; the hardest hit areas are along the River Road/Massachusetts Avenue corridors, and North Bethesda. Multiple traffic signals along River Road were dark this evening. Pepco's outage site is not giving estimated times for power restoration for any of these outages.

Here are some photos of the aftermath; there may be more photos (not to mention more storms) to come tonight, and tomorrow.

Tree limb meets car

Dark traffic signals at River Road
and Ridgefield Road

Tree limb blocks northbound lanes
of Arlington Road just south
of Bradley Boulevard

Storm-tossed fencing and construction
equipment at the 7770 Norfolk
luxury apartment tower construction
site

Bethesda Urban Partnership
cart got knocked aside in
Veterans Park

WIND DAMAGES ENTRANCE AT THE HAMPDEN IN BETHESDA (PHOTOS)

A wild and woolly Thursday left trash, plastic bags, tree limbs and damage all over Montgomery County. One of the most obvious victims of yesterday's howling winds, was the entrance awning at the currently-vacant The Hampden apartment complex on Hampden Lane.

While the awning took a beating, the only good news is that there won't be any property damage cost for the owner; the building is awaiting demolition to make way for the future luxury condos "from the several millions" at The Lauren.

BETHESDA STORM UPDATE - THUNDERSTORM CAUSED MINIMAL DAMAGE, MAXIMUM POWER OUTAGES

PEPCO RESTORED

MOST BETHESDA

OUTAGES BY END OF

EVENING

A typical summer thunderstorm passed through Bethesda yesterday, but caused extensive power outages across town.  While a number of trees fell, the damage was nowhere near that caused by the so-called "derecho" storm this summer.

Many residents reported losing power even before the storm had reached its height.  There was also frustration that Pepco had initially given restoration timetables to customers, and then later declined to give any estimate.

Power outages affected downtown Bethesda on streets like St. Elmo, Norfolk and Fairmont Avenues.  Many restaurants were forced to close for the prime dinner hours, including Chef Tony's, Union Jack's, Olazzo, Jiffy Shoppes, and Plaza del Sol.  All eventually had power restored, and will be open for regular business today.

Outside of town, traffic lights were out at some intersections of River Road and Old Georgetown Road, and in many of the neighborhoods they border.  A burning tree limb was reported at the intersection of River Road and Braeburn Parkway.

A fallen tree entirely shut down
Westbard Avenue for hours Saturday

 An entire tree collapsed across Westbard Avenue, in front of the Westbard Mews townhome community.  The road was blocked for hours, and there were no police or even flares to warn drivers.  One citizen eventually entered the roadway, haplessly attempting to direct traffic with an umbrella.  Nearby, Bowlmor Lanes, McDonald's, Giant Food and the Park Bethesda apartment were without power.

A large tree limb was hanging from Pepco
wires, but was not the culprit in outages

Pepco restored power across downtown Bethesda first.  A Pepco truck was spotted about 40 minutes later in the Westbard area.  Over the next few hours, all outages in that area were restored, with Park Bethesda being the last.

If you are still without power, please post a comment below.  As far as outages that I received tips about from readers and friends, every one of them has been restored.  So I won't make it "official" until I give others a chance to report outages, but anecdotally, Pepco did a far superior job than during the last storm.  Of course, the damage was far less, and many couldn't understand what exactly caused the power to go out in the first place. But not having to go for days without power yet again, I can't complain too much; it really could be worse.

2 MORE PHOTOS ADDED TO BETHESDA STORM GALLERY

Pepco crew and citizens in action last night - click here to view photo gallery!

BETHESDA NEIGHBORHOOD TAKES DESPERATE MEASURES TO GET PEPCO'S ATTENTION - EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS!

"PEPCO: R U LOST?"

Residents of powerless Green Acres in Bethesda have had to resort to extreme measures to get Pepco's attention.

The neighborhood posted handmade, poster board signs with messages for utility crews that might pass by on River Road.

Ironically, Pepco trucks did pass by on Sunday, right past the main entrance to the neighborhood!  Unfortunately for Green Acres, they kept on driving.

Green Acres has a right to feel victimized.  Prior to the killer storm, their neighborhood has been one of the hardest hit by the recent burglary-theft crime spree that began May 4.

2 MORE PHOTOS ADDED TO BETHESDA STORM GALLERY

Power returns to downtown Bethesda - click here to view gallery!

PEPCO CAM: EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS OF PEPCO CREW STAGING AREA IN BETHESDA

The exclusive Pepco Cam captured Pepco crews organizing operations at a new staging area on River Road, across from Walt Whitman High School in Bethesda.

Residents with outages in the 20816, 20817 and Potomac areas are entering their fourth hot night without power.  Hopefully these are the guys who will be getting to those neighborhoods tonight.

At this hour, the River Road commercial strip - gas stations and 7-11 included - remains in darkness, as do nearby neighborhoods.

These vehicles included trucks that have traveled from across the country to assist in Pepco operations following Friday's killer storm.

Crews line up at Pepco's River Road staging area this evening,
including trucks from Florida Power and Light.

Check out that Emergency Response Team sedan with
tinted windows - maybe Agent Mulder is in there.