Politics & Government

Firefighters, Senior Centers to Distribute Ready-to-Eat Meals in Howard County

After prolonged outages, county officials go out to communities to provide services.

With more than 5,500 Howard County residents still experiencing power outages as of midnight Thursday, county government announced that it will travel to communities to offer supplies.

“We all know how challenging it is to live without power,” said Howard County Executive Ulman in a statement Wednesday evening. “And as the days drag on, those challenges become more and more difficult.”

Approximately 40,000 residents have had their power restored in Howard County since Hurricane Irene blew through the area on Saturday evening.

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To serve those who are still without electricity, senior centers and firetrucks will be providing meals ready-to-eat (MREs) for citizens on Thursday, Sept. 1.

"Crews at each of the 11 fire stations will be in the communities where power outages remain an issue and will have meals and bottled water on hand for those in need,” stated the county in a press release.

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“This is our duty,” said Howard County Fire Chief William Goddard in a written statement. “We are doing all we can, not just to get the word out to families, but also to give them resources..."

The following senior centers will be open from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday with MREs and bottled water:

  • Bain Center
  • East Columbia 50+ Center
  • Glenwood Senior Center
  • North Laurel Senior Center

The Howard County Food Bank in Columbia will offer MREs from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“We hope that this network of distribution points will make it easier for folks to get the supplies they need,” said Lois Mikkila, citizen services director, in a written statement.

Howard County at the Dorsey Building in Columbia, provided by the Federal Emergency Management Agency and Maryland Emergency Management Agency. Traffic at the center was slow Monday morning, and some residents expressed concern that a lack of electricity means those in need were unaware of the service. 

“You don’t have media if you don’t have power,” said Lisa Feinberg of Ellicott City. She is president of the Glenelg Manor Estates Home Owners Association, where the power went out Saturday night, when the brunt of Hurricane Irene hit the area.

Trees that were knocked over by Irene’s winds, which gusted as high as 85 mph in places, have been a major factor in contributing to prolonged outages, said BGE spokeswoman Rachael Lighty.

“We have had more than 5,000 reports of downed wires,” Lighty said, “so it’s extensive damage, and trees have to first be removed. That’s very time-intensive and work-intensive.”

As of Wednesday evening, BGE had restored power to more than 80 percent of its customers, according to a press release. Currently, workers are stationed at these locations around Howard County: Dayton, Elkridge, Ellicott City, Fulton, Highland, West Friendship and Woodstock​.

Customers can call 877-778-2222 to report a prolonged outage.

“While we can’t solve all of their problems," said Ulman, "we are happy we can offer a helping hand to residents who are still struggling.”  

Ellicott City Patch editor Brandie Jefferson and Patch contributor Megan Minniear contributed to this report.


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