Shelter at Dundalk Middle Available Tonight to Flooding Victims

Towson, Md. (September 19, 2009, 4:30 p.m.) -- The Baltimore County Office of Emergency Management will open a shelter at Dundalk Middle School this evening for residents affected by flooding from yesterday's water main break. The shelter, equipped with cots, showers and food, will open at 6 p.m. The shelter will remain open until 9 a.m. Sunday; if needed, Emergency Management will reopen it tomorrow evening.

About 70 homes remain without power because BGE and county building inspectors have deemed restoration of power in those homes unsafe at this time. Some residents of those homes have said they are uncomfortable staying at home at night.

Today, BGE and county inspectors went door to door, looking at individual homes to determine if sockets and other electrical components are damaged by the flood waters and thus unsafe. Residents are responsible for hiring their own licensed electricians to make the necessary repairs.

Homeowners who made repairs today should report -- along with their licensed electricians -- to the BGE command post at Loganview Shopping Center tomorrow, Sunday, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.. There, a county building inspector and BGE inspector will accompany them and the electrician on a home inspection. If the inspectors rule that the home is safe, BGE will restore the power.

Guidelines for residents who yet to make repairs will be forthcoming.

The County is in the process of procuring dry ice for residents without power. The dry ice should be available for pickup this evening at the Loganview Shopping Center. In addition, the County will provide flashlights, crank radios and food kits to residents without power. Red Cross volunteers plan to walk door to door tonight distributing those items. The Red Cross has been working since the incident with local vendors to distribute cleaning products, water and other necessities. The Red Cross has distributed 2,000 meals since yesterday.