Politics & Government
Day 6 Without Power for Almost 4,000 Howard County Residents
Meals and water continue to be made available.
It’s Day Six of no electrical power for many residents of BGE’s service area in Howard County. According to BGE.com as of 8:57 am Howard County had 8,121 residents still in the dark, an increase from the reported number of 3,081 at 5:57 pm last night.
County Executive Ken Ulman said the county will be extending the availability of MREs (Meal, Ready to Eat) and water through the weekend if power outages continue.
Provisions for those in need will again be available from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. at the following senior centers Friday:
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- Bain Center
- East Columbia 50+ Center
- Glenwood Senior Center
- North Laurel Senior Center
and at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center and the North Laurel Community Center from 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. In addition, the Howard County Food Bank at 8920 Route 108, Suite A in Columbia will be open today from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The County’s new 2,000 gallon “water buffalo” tank and “filling stations” will be back at the Gary J. Arthur Community Center from noon until 8 p.m., providing families with “potable” water.
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Remember to bring your own containers -- which could include two-liter bottles, milk jugs, buckets; whatever can carry the water.
The water collected can be used for bathing, flushing toilets and even drinking as long as residents know the containers for drinking water are clean, according to the Howard County Office of Public Information.
Beyond the necessities, Ulman also reminded residents to continue to check on their friends and neighbors without power.
“As we approach the Labor Day weekend, I’d like to remind everyone that we still have families struggling to meet their everyday needs. This is a good time to find some way to help those family members, neighbors and friends who have not yet had their power restored,” Ulman said in a statement.
“It could be as simple as inviting them to dinner, dropping off a hot meal at their home, or even offering to do a load of laundry. There are countless ways we can all help.”
The Red Cross said to “store at least one gallon per person and pet per day. Store at least a three-day supply of water for each member of your family” and to store the water in a cool, dark place.
Should any residents need additional help they should call 911 in an emergency or in a non-emergency situation call 410-313-2900 (The Howard County Citizen Information Line) for more information. This number is valid during emercency situations.
