MEDIA CONTACT: Mark E. Brady, Chief Spokesperson, 240-508-7930
mebrady@co.pg.md.us @PGFDPIO
Throughout Saturday the National Weather Service had issued
High Wind Advisories and Warnings for the National Capital Region. Local media continually broadcast forecasts of very high winds and warned of the potential for damage from the winds. Wind gusts of up to 60 mph were forecast when
a cold front rolled through the area. The storm
was worthy of all the warnings at about 10:30 pm, Saturday, high wind gusts
toppled trees, utility lines fell and subsequent automatic alarms were activated
as well as small outside fires erupting from downed utility lines.
A normal 24-hour day averages about 450 incidents being
handles by Prince George’s County Firefighters and Medics. With the 14 hours spanning from 10:00 pm
Saturday until 12 Noon Sunday Public Safety Communications handled 352 calls
for service, which is well above average.
Most of the incidents were wind related.
While most incidents were handles without incident there
were 3 incidents that were notable.
At around 10:45
pm, Saturday, April 2, Prince George’s County Firefighters and Medics were alerted to a
tree and utility lines on top of a car in the 9600 block of 49th Ave in College Park. A large
tree fell on the front of the vehicle at the base of the windshield causing
significant damage and intrusion into the passenger compartment. Two people, an adult male passenger and adult
female driver occupied the vehicle. The male patient sustained minor injuries
and was able to get out of the vehicle; however the female patient was trapped
in the driver’s seat. After about 15 minutes the female was extricated and
treated by medics for serious injuries on the scene and prepared for transport
to a Trauma Center. Both patients were
transported to an area hospital/Trauma Center. The Incident Commander advised that there
were numerous trees and wires down in the area of this incident.
Just before 3:00
am, Sunday, Firefighters responded to the 5200 block of 59th Avenue in Riverdale for a reported house
fire. Fire/EMS units arrived at a single family home
with light smoke showing. Upon further investigation they determined a tree fell
in the front yard pulling utility lines with it and falling against the
house. The electrical panel in the
basement appears to have suffered a power surge and subsequent fire. Fire was out upon the fire department
arrival.
At about 3:30 am
firefighters responded on a report of an outside fire. They arrived at the intersection of Woodedge
Drive and High Bridge Road in Bowie and found brush and woods on fire.
Upon further investigation they discovered a tree and utility lines
had fallen across the road and ignited the fire. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish
the fire.
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