Severe storms that swept through Washington County over the weekend have caused widespread disruptions to government services, transportation and public safety operations.
The Washington County Office of Emergency Management is advising residents to follow proper procedures in the aftermath of the storm. Officials ask that impassable roads be reported to the county’s non-emergency number at 240-313-4345, but request that residents refrain from calling if a road is still passable by at least one vehicle. Emergency Management and 911 lines should be reserved for urgent situations only.
Mooresville Road remains closed due to storm-related damage, and the public is urged to avoid the area and stay clear of downed power lines, which may still be energized. County highway crews are working with Potomac Edison to clear debris and restore safe access, with the immediate goal of making every road passable to at least one vehicle.
Several county parks, including Regional Park, Camp Harding, Clear Spring Park, Doubs Woods Park, Marty Snook Park and Woodland Way Park, are affected by storm debris and potential hazards such as fallen branches and unstable trees. Cleanup efforts are ongoing, and visitors are advised to use extra caution as assessments continue.
County offices located at 747 Northern Avenue—including Permits & Inspections, Engineering and Planning & Zoning—are closed due to a power outage that has affected phone and internet service. The situation will be reevaluated Tuesday morning, with updates to follow as more information becomes available.
Washington County Transit Services will continue to operate on Monday, April 21, but passengers should expect delays due to temporary road closures.
The Division of Emergency Services reminds the public to avoid all downed power lines and storm debris. All downed lines should be considered live and extremely dangerous. Residents are instructed not to move or drive over downed lines and to report them directly to Potomac Edison.
Potomac Edison has brought in additional crews from neighboring states to assist with power restoration efforts. Outages can be reported online, by text, or by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877). Residents are encouraged to stay informed and cooperate with ongoing response and recovery operations to ensure community safety.
