Storm Effects Talbot County... by Talbot County Emergency Services (DES) on Friday, June 17, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA CONTACT: Tim McNeal, 410-822-0095

Talbot County was placed under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning this evening at around 7:25 pm as a strong thunderstorm approached the Tilghman Island and Oxford areas of the County.

At approximately 7:30 pm in Tilghman and 7pm in Oxford Talbot 9-1-1 Center began receiving reports damage from extremely strong winds which reportedly caused damage to trees, sheds, patio furniture etc…as well as causing down wires.

DES Staff working with local fire and law enforcement personnel in these areas are working to develop a clear picture of the damage and County Roads have been dispatched to the areas to assist with clearing roadways.

As of the time of this report we have the following information:

• Tilghman Fire Department personnel report that an extremely large tree coupled with electric lines was knocked down at the entrance to Black Walnut Point. Talbot County Roads and Delmarva Power and Light have been dispatched to the area. Additionally, 5-6 large trees were reported to be knocked down on Bar Neck Cove Road with electric lines down with damage to electric meters on several homes.
• In Oxford, Fire Department and Police report that a number of trees have been knocked down, some of which are blocking roads. In one case a tree fell into a garage causing extensive damage to the garage. Presently there is a power outage affecting the Oxford, Trappe, and Bay Hundred areas.
• Additionally in the Trappe area we have received reports of trees down and power outages.
• As of the time of this report there are over 2500 residences without power in the Oxford, Bay Hundred, and Trappe areas and DP&L is working to restore power.

DES staff will work with local officials to assess the damage in the coming hours to determine the extent of damage, as well working with the National Weather Service out of Mount Holly to determine what caused the damage such as straight line winds versus rotational winds.