Bladensburg, MD – Since yesterday evening, Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Management has been working with the City of Bladensburg, American Red Cross, along with other County and State departments and agencies to provide recovery resources to the Bladensburg community impacted by a microburst that occurred at 8:07 p.m., last night, Friday June 22. There were no serious injuries from this storm or subsequent damage.
Throughout the day, the Prince George’s County Department of Environmental Resources surveyed 134 structures. 20 of these structures were deemed unsafe and approximately 600 residents are not allowed in these buildings until the structural problems are addressed. The Prince George’s County Office of Family Services, Department of Social Service, and the American Red Cross will continue to operate the shelter at Bladensburg High School throughout the weekend and into Monday if needed. Any impacted resident needing assistance, information or shelter, should call the Prince George’s County Emergency Operations Hotline at 301-583-2230.
“I want to say first and foremost, that we are very blessed to have had no serious injuries or deaths due to this natural disaster,” said Prince George’s County Executive Rushern L. Baker, III. “I want to say unequivocally that the County government will use all resources and everything in our power to help and assist impacted residents. I also want to thank our first responders as well as the thousands of citizens who have come out yesterday and today to help their neighbors in this time of need.”
The Prince George’s County Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T) is reporting that Route 202 between 57th Avenue and 55th Avenue is now open. 57th Avenue remains closed between Rt. 202 and 55th Avenue. Monroe Street remains closed between Rt. 202 and 57th Avenue. And Newton Street remains closed from 52nd Avenue and 57th Avenue. Additionally, DPW&T is advising residents in impacted areas to continue to move storm debris into the Rights of Way tomorrow. Debris removal will begin on Monday, June 25, 2012. DPW&T will also be running bus service tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. for residents to and from the shelter at Bladensburg High School.
“While we are certainly grateful that there were no serious injuries or lives lost, this natural disaster left behind significant devastation. Residents were displaced from their homes. This community is also suffering considerable property damage.” said Prince George’s County Council Chair Andrea C. Harrison. (District – 5) “These residents are all of our neighbors and deserve our compassionate and timely response. We are all working together to ensure that they are as safe and comfortable as possible in this interim period as they await restoration."
Prince George’s County is very fortunate that no serious injuries occurred from this microburst and subsequent damage. The Prince George’s County Office of Emergency Management credits the media, social media, and emergency alert systems for notifying the public of Severe Weather Warnings yesterday evening. Emergency Management reminds and encourages all Prince George’s County residents to sign up for Notify Me Prince George’s Alerts at https://notifyme.princegeorgescountymd.gov/index.php?CCheck=1. A Notify Me Alert of Severe Weather in Prince George’s County was sent out at 7:30 p.m. yesterday evening prior to the 8:07 p.m. microburst.
Prince George’s County also thanks the American Red Cross for their assistance and always being available to the County in our times of need. We want to utilize this time to remind everyone that the Red Cross always need donations and volunteers in order to provide the services they do. Please click here to donate.