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BGE restores service to 13,000 after intense flooding in Maryland

SNL Image

Utility workers on May 29 checked the power lines in Ellicott City, Md., after floodwaters damaged infrastructure and utility equipment.

Source: Associated Press

Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. has restored power and gas service to more than 13,000 customers in Maryland after extensive flooding damaged infrastructure throughout the Baltimore region.

Ellicott City, Md., and the surrounding areas experienced torrential rains and flash flooding May 27 that damaged buildings and roads, knocked out power and flooded gas pipes.

BGE has restored 16,600 feet of the 17,900 feet of gas main impacted by the flooding, representing 92% of the mains in the area, the company said in a May 30 email. About 290 electric outages and 1,300 feet of gas main in central Ellicott City still need to be restored, BGE spokesman Justin Mulcahy said.

"The remaining sections of our gas and electric systems along the heavily damaged Main Street area remain off for safety," he said. "The remaining gas and electric customers will stay out of service indefinitely pending Howard County's determination of building status and infrastructure repairs."

SNL Image

A car was swept into the riverbank just off Main Street in flood-ravaged Ellicott City, Md. The flooding comes less than two years after the city suffered severe damage from a flood in 2016.

Source: Associated Press

BGE could not provide an estimate for when the remaining gas service and electric service would be restored until all the system and safety assessments are completed. The company said it plans to keep coordinating with Howard County and would be ready to restore gas and electric service to the remaining customers once it is safe.

The utility could not begin restoring service until the flooding receded, and BGE also has to wait to restore gas service if water has entered a customer's piping and appliances. Damaged equipment and structures will need to be fully inspected and, in some cases, rebuilt before service restoration, BGE said.

The heavy rains and extensive flooding affected Ellicott City, Catonsville, Arbutus and Baltimore City and prompted Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan to declare a state of emergency.