Essex-Middle River Residents Continue to Deal with Irene's Aftermath

Michael Touhy just shook his head in disbelief Monday as he watched BGE and tree removal crews drive by his home on Holly Neck Road.

The retired senior citizen has asthma and a host of other medical conditions and has been without power since 10:30 p.m., Saturday when a tree fell over power lines in front of his home as Hurricane Irene made her way through Maryland.

Making matters worse, the power lines are hanging over his driveway and he is scared to walk in his front yard and even move his car. Touhy and his wife, Mary, are also dealing with a flooded back yard which he said is “like a lake.”

“I’ve called BGE several times and haven’t heard anything,” Touhy said. “We were better off in the dark ages.”

BGE understands the frustrations many customers are feeling and are urging patience as the utility works to restore power to the more than 341,289 still without power as of 1 p.m., Monday. According to a news release, BGE hopes to have power restored to most areas by late Friday while some isolated areas might be without power into Saturday.

Along with the power outages, BGE is also responding to more than 5,000 reports of downed wires are are asking customers to report additional downed wires by calling 877-778-2222.

Among those still without power is the Middle River Volunteer Rescue and Ambulance Company. The company has been running with the help of generators for more than 24 hours. Middle River president Joe Davis said the company petitioned both the county and federal government for funds to purchase a backup generator for the station without success.

“It’s been very difficult,” Davis said. “Resources have just been allocated to other areas.”

Other communities still dealing with widespread power outages in the Essex-Middle River area include Aero Acres, Victory Villa and the Back River peninsula. However, BGE, as of 1 p.m., Monday, has restored power to 341,320 customers.

Among those customers now with power is Sylvia Anderson. Her Bowleys Quarters home lost power late Saturday night before the power came back on late Monday morning.

“I heard the rattling of all of the grinder pumps coming back on the neighborhood and that was a welcomed sound,” she said. “Still, after having four feet of water in our basement during Tropical Storm Isabel [in 2003] I know we got off lucky this time.”

Note: In Baltimore County, County Executive Kevin Kamenetz said the county will take care of any trees in public right of ways (on fallen lines are BGE's responsibility). On private property, the county is asking residents to call their insurance company or hire a removal service. Those looking for a licensed tree removal service can click here.

In addition, Baltimore County is asking residents to report fallen trees on county roads by calling 410-887-3560.

Associate Regional Editor Bryan P. Sears contributed to this story.