Recovery Service Center for Residents Affected by Dundalk Water Main Break

Center Will Open From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on September 26

Towson, Md. (September 25, 2009) — Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith announced that Baltimore County will open a one-day Recovery Service Center to assist homeowners who have exhausted all of their insurance options as well as those who need help with other recovery efforts at the Watersedge Community Center on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The center is located at 7894 Dundalk Avenue.

One Week Later

One week after a massive water main break in Dundalk, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith reviewed the County's emergency response and announced additional resources for residents in the affected area. "One week ago today, the resilience of Dundalk residents was truly tested," said Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith. "The water released when a 72-inch water main broke created an immediate public safety emergency, and flooded basements in more than 100 homes. However, once again the people of Dundalk stood together and remained strong. Baltimore County will stand with the people of this historic community as they put their lives back together. In those cases where residents have been unsuccessful in having an insurance claim approved, we will work with homeowners to identify county and state resources to help them move forward."

County's Response to Incident

County officials provided County Executive Smith with a comprehensive review of the response to the water main break that was coordinated by Baltimore County. The details of that response are listed below:

Friday, September 18

• Water main breaks-911 called received at 4:18 p.m.
• Baltimore County emergency response personnel from the police and fire departments arrived on the scene immediately and established a command center at the American Legion Post on Dundalk Avenue. Fire and police rescue boats patrolled the area and assisted several people to safety. Residents were advised to "shelter in place" until the water receded.
• Baltimore County and Baltimore City Public Works teams responded and identified the break as a 72-inch water main that was constructed in the 1970s. The main was shut down at approximately 6:30 p.m. and the water began to recede.
• Sixty police officers were assigned to patrol the area and provide security for homes that were empty or without power. The reinforced police presence remained through much of the weekend.
• Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith and Governor Martin O'Malley surveyed the area by helicopter to get a comprehensive view of the damage. County Executive Smith walked the neighborhood late Friday evening to talk directly with residents affected by the break. County Councilman John Olszewksi Sr. Senator Norman Stone, Delegate Sonny Minnick, and Delegate John Olszewski Jr. arrived at the scene and met with emergency personnel. The Councilman and State legislators remained in contact with County and State officials throughout the weekend. 
• An emergency shelter was opened at the Ateaze Senior Center by the Department of Social Services in coordination with Emergency Management, Red Cross, Aging, Health, and Education. Four people used the shelter Friday night and left by 11 p.m. The shelter was relocated to Dundalk Middle School on Saturday night, but no one used it. The shelter was closed Sunday.
• Baltimore County Department of Public Works and Fire Department crews pumped out and sanitized flooded basements throughout the night. By noon Saturday most basements had been pumped out.
• BGE arrived on the scene soon after the emergency responders and later went door-to-door with Baltimore County building inspectors to assess whether or not gas and electric service could safely be turned back on.
• 275 residences were in the flooded area. Of the 275, 112 required assistance either from Fire, DPW, Red Cross or BGE. (pumping of water, mold prevention, disconnection of power and or natural gas). Of the 112, 75 required pumping, 75 lost power and natural gas, 14 lost power but did not require assistance from another agency. 163 residences in the flooded area had no significant damage.
• The following is a breakdown of the homes affected by the loss of electrical or gas service:
• • 37 on McShane
  • 28 on Loganview
  • 6 on Chestnut
  • 4 on Sollers Point Road
• The Maryland Department of Transportation rerouted buses to ensure that bus transportation for area residents could continue uninterrupted.
• Governor O'Malley contacted Maryland Insurance Commissioner Ralph Tyler who ruled the incident was not a flood, but a water main break. The Insurance Commissioner worked with insurance companies who agreed to cover policies that included coverage for sewer backups.
• Home Depot arrived on the scene to distribute cleaning supplies and water to residents affected by the break. The company contributed to the recovery throughout the week.

Saturday, September 19

• In the early morning hours, 700 residents were without electricity. By 3:30 p.m., 60 homes were without electrical and gas service, and 44 had electricity by not gas service.
• The Maryland Insurance Commissioner and members of his staff went door-to-door in the neighborhood encouraging residents to file claims with their insurers and to call the Maryland Insurance Administration if they felt they were being treated unfairly. Additional staff was called in to man phones at the MIA offices throughout the weekend.
• The Baltimore County Department of Public Works provided roll-off dumpsters, and dump trucks to collect trash and debris from basements. Twenty six 30-cubic yard roll-off containers, two dump truck loads, and five trash truck loads have been removed from the neighborhood for a total of 221.3 tons of debris. Street sweepers have been in the area since Saturday trying to manage the dust on the streets.
• The Red Cross provided clean up kits for residents at a dispatch site located at Logan Village Shopping Center. The Red Cross distributed 4,000 meals, 300 clean up kits, and 15,000 bottles of water. As they walked through the neighborhoods they also distributed items supplied by the County (120 combination flashlight/radio devices to homes without electricity, 250 non-perishable meals, and information about mold mitigation and recovery). The Red Cross provided staff at the shelters both Friday and Saturday night and maintained their mobile command post until Sunday afternoon.
• Baltimore County distributed dry ice throughout the weekend to residents without electrical power.

Sunday, September 20

• The Baltimore County Department of Public Works continued to provide roll-off dumpsters, and dump trucks to collect trash and debris from basements.
• The Red Cross continued to provide clean up kits for residents at a dispatch site located at Logan Village Shopping Center. The Red Cross provided staff at the shelters both Friday and Saturday night and maintained their mobile command post until Sunday afternoon.
• Baltimore County distributed dry ice throughout the weekend to residents without electrical power.
• At the end of this day, 50 homes were without electricity and 44 were without gas. 

Monday, September 21

• On Monday, members of Baltimore County's Department of Economic Development toured the Logan Village Shopping Center to meet with business owners affected by the water main break.

Tuesday, September 22

• County Executive Smith and Councilman Olszewski visited affected areas with staff from the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation who advised residents of grants that are available to replace major systems like furnaces, electrical panels, and water heaters.
• Mark Hubbard, Baltimore County Emergency Management Director convened a meeting of department heads, the Maryland Insurance Administration, Richard Muth, the Director of MEMA, and FEMA representatives. Representatives of Maryland's Congressional delegation also attended the meeting. County Executive Jim Smith thanked those in attendance for the prompt response to the situation. At this meeting, FEMA reviewed eligibility requirements for both residents and government to receive federal aid.
• Len the Plumber responded to the area and installed new hot water heaters free of charge for any resident who was denied insurance coverage for that appliance.
• At the end of this day 28 homes are without electricity and gas, five were without gas.

Wednesday, September 23

• A team from the Home Improvement Commission of Maryland Department of Labor Licensing and Regulation knocked on every door of affected households to warn homeowners of scam artists offering home improvement services. Concerned residents should call 410-230-6309 or visit www.dllr.state.md.us and follow link to "find who is licensed".
• Subsequent to the September 22 meeting, FEMA and MEMA approved damage assessment teams that toured the area on Wednesday, September 23.
• At the end of this day 17 homes were without electricity and gas, and 1 was without electric only. 

Thursday, September 24

• Personnel from the Baltimore County Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management and DPW went through the area picking up paint and chemicals for disposal separately since they cannot be sent to the landfill.
• At the end of the day, nine homes were without electricity and gas, and one was without electric only.
• Fire Department personnel visited the affected neighborhoods, going door to door and talking with more than 100 residents. They will return Friday night to ensure that all affected houses are visited. Fliers announcing the Recovery Service Center at the Watersedge Community Center on Saturday were distributed to each house as well as information regarding mold mitigation.

Friday, Septermber 25

A total of 38 homeowners have contacted the Maryland Insurance Administration with concerns over their home insurance policies. Here is how they break out:

• 4 Denied - Claim denied by insurance carrier. All denials are under review by MIA.    
• 4 Paid - Claim paid by insurance carrier.                              
• 20 Pending - Claim is pending with the insurance carrier.  
• 8 Under Insured - Homeowner has coverage, but the extent of the coverage is insufficient to cover cost of loss.
• BGE reports that eight homes are without gas and electric and one home is without gas only.

Tomorrow

For homeowners who have exhausted all of their insurance options, the Baltimore County Office of Community Conservation will accept applications to determine financial resources that may be available through Baltimore County and the State of Maryland to assist residents of the affected area. Residents can meet with staff from Office of Community Conservation and representative from the State and other assistance agencies at the Watersedge Community Center on Saturday, September 26, 2009 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.