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: BATTEN DOWN THE HATCHES

Severe thunderstorms are expected to hit Bethesda between 1 and 11 PM today.  With a cold front hitting 105 degree temperatures, fasten your seatbelts for a wild and wooly day.

Don't forget that collection of curbside storm tree/limb/miscellaneous wood scraps begins July 11.

Let's hope the county picks up the 3 fallen trees currently blocking the sidewalk on Westbard Avenue between Westbard Circle and Massachusetts Avenue.  If you are trying to walk to church or Little Falls Library, use the Westbard Mews side of the street sidewalk.

KILLER STORM ROCKS BETHESDA, MASSIVE POWER OUTAGES TEST PEPCO IMPROVEMENTS

A powerful thunderstorm system blasted Bethesda Friday night, knocking out power throughout town, and leaving a massive mess in its wake.

73% of residents had no power Friday night.  An urgent public health emergency looms today, with temperatures forecast as feeling like 115 degrees, and A/C-deprived Pepco customers being told power will be out for several days.

It is unclear at this hour just what locations in Bethesda do have power, in terms of what sites can be opened as cooling stations today.

Trees are down from Bethesda Row to the Potomac River.  Massive power outages were reported by residents in neighborhoods off of major highways like River Road and Old Georgetown Road.  One resident near Goldsboro Road reported hearing repeated blasts of a truck air horn over an hour-long period during the night.  I have no idea what that could have been, but would assume it was something serious to make that much noise at night.  If anyone knows what that was related to, let me know, and I'll pass that information on.

Pepco is now facing its first real test of its  2-year-long service improvements.  Bethesda residents reported that outage hotlines were down around 11 PM last night.  Today the area will find out if Pepco has the crews from outside DC to respond to one of the biggest outages in history.  If Pepco rises to the challenge, it could greatly improve public opinion of the utility.

Downtown Bethesda outages left late night partiers without post-nightclub eats.  Both Bold Bite and Jiffy Shoppes were forced to close.  Redwood's Bethesda Lane patio was lashed by hurricane force winds.

In fact, an 80 MPH wind shear was recorded in Bethesda at the height of the storm.  The freight train sounds I heard confirm that.  I was sure a tornado would spawn at any moment, but the damage suggests that circular wind patterns did occur.  Leaves carpet streets, and tree companies will be busy for weeks.  The full extent of the damage will be known once the sun rises this morning.

If you have difficulty reaching Pepco, try their Twitter at @PepcoConnect.

Monitor radio for announcements of cooling centers if you have no AC.

Be advised that more storms are expected today and Sunday.

Stay tuned for more details on one of the Top 5 most violent storms to hit Bethesda in the last 50 years.  Follow me on Twitter @BethesdaRow for more breaking weather news.

Stay cool, Bethesda!