City of Bowie Prepares for Possible Severe Storms

Preparations for potential damaging storms are underway by City of Bowie staff and officials. 

"We’ve taken our preliminary steps and we will meet again in the morning," Una Cooper, communications coordinator for the city said in an interview.

Cooper said the city is in the process of topping off gas generators and that some staff have been informed they may have to work extra hours in the event of severe weather. 

She also encouraged residents to sign up for Alert Bowie, the city's email and text alert system, to keep abreast of storm related information. 

The most recent alert urged residents to prepare for the storm by:

• Keeping medical and electronic devices charged
• Having a flashlight, battery operated radio and fresh batteries on hand
• Clearing storm drains near your home to help prevent flooding

The city also recommends keeping a list of important emergency numbers printed out on a sheet of paper or stored on mobile devices. A list of important city and state emergency numbers is provide below. 

• Police, fire/EMS emergencies: 911
• Non emergency calls for police service: 301-352-1200 
• Bowie Police Department administrative offices: 301-575-2480 (M-F 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.) 
• Bowie City Hall: 301-262-6200; After-hours emergency service (water main breaks, sewer backups, etc.),1-888-296-3821; TTY, 301-262-5013 
• City of Bowie Emergency Operations Center (for use only during emergencies when other City lines are out of service): 301-805-8781 or 301-805-8782. 
• BGE: Power outages, 1-877-778-2222; downed wires, 1-800-685-0123 
• City of Bowie Water Service: 301-262-6200 
• Comcast: 1-800-COMCAST or 301-499-1980 
• Verizon: 1-800-483-7988 
• Washington Gas Gas: Emergencies, 1-800-752-7520 or 703-750-1400; customer service: 703-750-1000 
• WSSC: Emergencies, 301-206-4002; main, 301-206-9772