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.

BETHESDA STORM UPDATE: HOW TO GET RID OF STORM DEBRIS, POWER OUTAGES CONTINUE

WEATHER NEWS

I'm not going to insult your intelligence like the TV news - "It's hot! It's 100 degrees!" Duh!

But it will feel like 115 degrees Saturday, so be prepared.  New thunderstorms are forecast to hit Bethesda on Sunday and/or Monday.

Montgomery County still has a cooling center open at Richard Montgomery High School in Rockville for those without power.

POWER OUTAGES

Up to 14,000 county residents remain without power a full week after the storm hit.  To top it off, some have even lost power once it was restored.

Chef Tony's and Jiffy Shoppes both suffered partial or complete power outages on St. Elmo Avenue Thursday.

MONTGOMERY COUNTY TREE DEBRIS

What do you do with all of those branches, limbs and chunks of wood littering your yard?

A) Build a log cabin

B) Start a firewood company

C) Gather them up, and place them "in the county right of way" if you live on a county-maintained road, before July 11.

The answer is C.

Starting July 11, county crews will begin picking up the curbside debris.

The county says not to place debris in any spot that blocks a road, driveway or sidewalk; generally speaking, it should be right at the edge of your lawn by the gutter/edge of the street.

Debris not ready for pickup July 11 can still be bundled by you, or your yard service, for regular yard debris pickups on trash days.