Storms Knock Out Power To Thousands

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Powerful thunderstorms might have eased the heat a bit, but they triggered a new round of misery for some.

Alex DeMetrick has more on the race to restore power.

BGE crews have been working since the storms passed over the area, and they are making substantial progress. But there are still people waiting for power and air conditioning.

When high heat gave way to a quick-moving chain of thunderstorms, downpours followed and Baltimore cooled down a little.  But the wind that came with that slight measure of relief, triggered a new round of trouble.

Trees started coming down from Baltimore County to Anne Arundel County.

Some of those lost were large, like a tree on the grounds of the Cathedral of Mary Our Queen.

Split branches and broken limbs were everywhere the wind hit hardest.

"When the storm hit last night, there was a big spark and big boom," said Tyrone Smith.

"It was cutting off and on, off and on, and then it just went out," said Dean Hancock, Baltimore.

The reason was a branch that had torn loose and landed across wires along a North Avenue alley.

It was a typical call for BGE crews, who worked to restore 41,000 customers who lost electricity, and with it, air conditioning.

In old rowhouses, without air conditioning to cool things off, that leaves only the stoop.

"It's like an oven," said Ron Cosby, Baltimore.

"It's hot. That's why I am sitting out here," said Smith.

BGE reports there are still 4,700 customers without power. Most of them are in the city.