Sunday's fierce winds whipped through the DC and Maryland area, toppling trees and causing widespread power disruptions. A Pepco spokesperson said, "Safety is our top priority for both our employees and customers," in a statement obtained by DC News Now. As of Sunday night, an estimated 752 individuals in the affected regions were still to have their electricity restored, per Pepco's Outage Map.
The gusty conditions proved forceful enough to temporarily shut down iconic tourist landmarks, with the National Park Service having to quickly decide to close the Washington Monument and the Old Post Office Tower. According to News4, a dolor walk on the National Mall remained unspoiled by the wind for some tourists. One visitor from Miami told News4, "I love Washington, D.C." When asked about the blustery weather, she continued, "It's different for me ... because in Miami, it's very hot."
Not merely content to disrupt travel plans, the wind also took its toll on local infrastructure. WTOP mapped the damage, reporting over 4,000 customers without power in the broader D.C. region, with outages heavily affecting Dominion Energy clients in Fairfax County, Virginia. Downed power lines were among the chief culprits behind the outages, which also struck Pepco customers in Montgomery and Prince George's County, Maryland.
While crews worked diligently to restore services, the public was reminded of the dangers posed by damaged infrastructure. "We advise customers to stay away from downed lines and damaged equipment," said a Pepco representative, signaling the seriousness of the situation. Residents were encouraged to report any outages through the available channels: Pepco's outage number, mobile app, or website. With cleanup efforts underway, the true impact of this wind event might yet take days to fully ascertain. Meanwhile, local officials advocate for continued caution as the community braces to bounce back.
