Recovery Efforts Underway After Violent Storm Hits Washington Region
Washington, D.C. – The Washington region is continuing its recovery efforts two days after a violent storm swept through, leaving major roads closed and thousands of customers without electricity.
The storm, which hit on Saturday, brought torrential rain and winds exceeding 80 mph, causing significant damage throughout the District and its surrounding suburbs. Trees were uprooted, power lines were downed, and chaos ensued. Tragically, authorities have reported that a man in Virginia lost his life when a tree fell on his home during the storm.
In the aftermath of the storm, transportation officials faced challenges as major roadways were severely affected. As of Monday morning, all southbound lanes of the George Washington Parkway remained blocked between Interstate 495 and Interstate 66, causing significant traffic disruptions. Northbound lanes were only accessible between Route 123 and the Capital Beltway. Additionally, Canal Road between Foxhall Road and Reservoir Road was also closed.
The storm’s impact on the power grid was substantial, with thousands of customers still without electricity. Pepco reported that over 5,000 customers in the District and Maryland were still experiencing power outages on Monday, according to their outage map. Dominion Power also confirmed that approximately 3,000 customers in Virginia were without power.
Authorities are working diligently to restore power and clear the roads, but it is expected to be a gradual process. The public is advised to exercise caution and avoid affected areas until conditions improve.
This is a developing story, and updates will be provided as more information becomes available.