High winds downed more than 30 power lines, trapping dozens of adults and children inside cars at risk of electric shock in Carroll County, Maryland, Monday night.
Severe storms swept through the area, bringing heavy rain, high winds, and tornado warnings. Forecasters noted that this was the most dangerous severe weather warning in 10 years.
As a result, power lines fell on Route 140 in Westminster around 6 p.m., trapping 33 people, including 14 children, inside cars for more than five hours as BGE crews worked to disconnect power lines, according to authorities. .
However, no injuries were reported.
Video taken from inside a car shows the moment strong winds toppled power poles like dominoes, smashing them into the road not far from vehicles whose drivers had nowhere to go.
Contact with downed power lines can cause injury or even death, according to the Electrical Safety Foundation.
Jeffrey Campbell said he was trapped in his car for hours and finally got out around 11 p.m. But he had to leave his car behind as it was still pinned by fallen poles.
In all, more than 30 power poles were downed by straight-line winds during the storms, BGE officials said.
The cars remained empty and stranded on the highway until Tuesday morning. Route 140 will remain closed while crews remove highway poles. Detours can be in effect for days.
Maryland Governor Wes Moore traveled to the area to survey the damage and speak with first responders.
At a news conference, he thanked first responders, utility workers and people in the community who helped those trapped in the car. Among them were bus drivers waiting to take people home and the local school that stayed open to provide shelter and meals.
“This is what Maryland does. This is what the pride and support of Maryland looks like,” Moore said. “And what we saw last night and today was the best of Maryland. A Maryland that works together, a Maryland that comes together as one team and with one mission.”
This is a developing story. Stay with Telemundo 44 for more updates.
