Downed Power Lines Trap Drivers In Cars On Busy Carroll County Road

WESTMINSTER, MD — Severe weather lashed parts of Maryland on Monday, downing multiple utility poles in Carroll County and trapping dozens of people in their cars for hours, according to officials and various reports.

About 20 utility poles along Maryland Route 140 between Gorsuch Road and Market Street in Westminster fell during the storm that also left tens of thousands without power, toppled trees, and closed several roads, reports said. Maryland State Police rescued 33 adults and 14 children after nearly three dozen cars were trapped among fallen power lines on Route 140, according to Maryland Gov. Wes Moore's office.

"They were stuck there because the powerlines came down and they couldn't get out of their vehicles," Carroll County Sheriff James DeWees told CBS Baltimore. "We have remained in constant communication with those in the vehicles and they are safe."

By 10:30 p.m. Monday, all drivers and passengers trapped inside their vehicles were safely taken to nearby Winters Mill High School to receive a meal and be reunited with their families, according to Moore's office.

No serious injuries were reported, Moore's office said in a statement.

Maryland was among several states battered by severe weather Monday. At least two people died, thousands of U.S. flights were canceled or delayed, and more than 1.1 million homes and businesses lost power Monday as severe storms, hail, and lightning moved along the East Coast.

In Carroll County, Route 140, a busy thoroughfare that carries traffic in and out of the county, remained closed Tuesday morning.

"It will remain closed for tomorrow's morning traffic and then state highway will update us, as well as BGE, as they start working at that location," DeWees told CBS Baltimore. "That is the absolute route to get people in and out of this county to get people up north to Pennsylvania and into Westminster."

At one point, at least 100 roads closed in Carroll County after sustaining damage during the storm, according to a list compiled by the county government. As of 10 a.m. Tuesday, more than half remain closed, the Baltimore Banner reported.

Residents can follow road closure updates through the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Traffic incidents and events page.

Shortly before 11 a.m., more than 44,000 people remained without power in Maryland, according to Baltimore Gas and Electric Company's outage map. In a social media post, BGE officials said crews would likely have 80 percent power restored by 11 p.m. Tuesday, though more significant repairs could extend into the weekend.

• RELATED: Nearly 40K Without Power In MD, Some Repairs To Stretch Into Weekend

Phone lines at the Maryland State Police's Westminster Barrack were also down Tuesday morning, authorities said on social media. Residents with an emergency should call 443-789-7278.

Gov. Moore surveyed the storm damage in Westminster on Tuesday morning. After receiving a briefing from county officials, the governor thanked first responders and others who helped those affected by the storm.

"This is Maryland at its best – all of us coming together, working as one team, with one mission," Moore said. "To all the families impacted, I thank you for your courage and strength — and please know that we are here to support you. It will take time to fix the damage from last night — but we are going to stay coordinated, we are going to stay focused, and we are going to get this done."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.