March 28, 2024
Annapolis, US 48 F

Huge Power Failure Strikes Annapolis Area

powerfailUPDATE: While police deny any looting occurred, just after the power went out, someone smashed an inner West Street business window and stole liquor and cigarettes. Additionally, reports from employees in mall businesses indicate that some customers indeed stole merchandise and exited the store prior to employees initiating manual bag checks.

Earlier this evening more than 66,000 homes and businesses were plunged into darkness in the Annapolis area when Baltimore Gas & Electric (not the Mayan apocalypse) lost two main feeds into the area.  Ultimately the culprit appeared to have been a high voltage line located behind the Westfield Annapolis mall which went down and was repaired relatively quickly. The areas effected included all of greater Annapolis and reached over to Arnold and up into Odenton.

Throughout the event, police and back up officers were mobilized to critical areas including intersections for traffic control, the mall for security, and other key positions in the area. There were some unconfirmed early reports of looting at the Westfield Annapolis mall, but police say they were unfounded and likely a result of people seeing an increased presence of police and fire activity at the mall due to the malfunctioning fire and burglar alarms–all needed to be investigated.

User submitted photo of explosions prior to power failure in Annapolis
User submitted photo of explosions prior to power failure in Annapolis

Anne Arundel Medical Center declared a “mini disaster” as they were operating on generator power and for a period were re-routing patients to other hospitals.

By midnight, BGE had restored service to many  homes and businesses; but not before disrupting what was likely one of the busiest shipping nights of the season. The City of Annapolis and the Annapolis Business Association was sponsoring Eleventh Hour, and the mall had extended shopping hours.

While power was out for most, people were able to take to their mobile devices and access Twitter and Facebook. Many posted videos of the explosions on our facebook page.  Even Mayor Cohen took to his page to re-assure his constituents that the Mayan Apocalypse was not happening

Stay calm and collected. It’s not the Mayan apocalypse. I need to get the Market House reopened before the world ends.

 

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