Mayor Buckley to Tour Destruction with Gov. Larry Hogan After Tornado Touchdown in Annapolis
Annapolis, MD – The day after a tornado touched down in the Parole community, City of Annapolis residents and businesses are beginning to tally the costs of the destruction. Mayor Gavin Buckley will tour the area at 10:15 a.m. with Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. At that time, Mayor Buckley will seek assistance from the state.
“Our partners at the county and the state will be crucial to assist residents in the cleanup,” Mayor Buckley said. “We are thankful that there were no fatalities and no reported injuries. The fact remains we have a lot of work ahead of us.”
The weather damage came to Annapolis Tuesday afternoon around 2:15 p.m. as the remnants of Hurricane Ida passed through the mid-Atlantic region. Anne Arundel County reported damage in a path that matches a tornado touching down near South River High School in Edgewater. The damage crossed the South River into the Child’s Point area of Annapolis, crossed Aris T. Allen Blvd. and came into the Parole community, which was hardest hit. Additional damage to homes in Bowman Commons and Admiral Heights were reported.
Department of Planning and Zoning Chief of Code Enforcement John Menassa reported on Wednesday morning that there are a number of uninhabitable homes and businesses. While the numbers are early, Menassa’s team of building inspectors worked overnight. A total of 18 structures (residential and commercial) have major damage, 13 are condemned, and 15 have minor damage. Menassa reported that the number is expected to go up.
On Thursday morning, Mayor Buckley declared a State of Emergency.
Baltimore Gas and Electric (BGE) reports about 1,000 Annapolis customers without power as of 9 a.m. on Thursday. A total of 1,500 residents in Anne Arundel County are without electricity.
West Street between Chinquapin Round and Gibraltar will remain closed at least through Wednesday lunchtime. Cleanup crews and BGE worked through the night on cleanup and restoration efforts.
The Annapolis Office of Emergency Management has activated the Emergency Operations Center. Residents in need of assistance should contact the Call Center at 410-260-2211. Intake for residents seeking shelter is at the Pip Moyer Recreation Center, 273 Hilltop Lane in Annapolis. Those in need of transportation should call the Call Center for assistance.
The City of Annapolis had crews working through the night to clear debris and assist BGE in the removal of large trees and branches.
Mayor Buckley thanked the local jurisdictions who offered support. Anne Arundel County offered material assistance and personnel through the Anne Arundel County Fire Department. Naval Support Activity Annapolis Fire Department stepped in and the United States Armed Forces Recruitment Center on West Street rendered immediate aid in the aftermath of the storm. Baltimore City lent light poles so that workers could work into the night.
