Tree causes power outage in Damascus

Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2007

Tree causes power outage in Damascus

by Susan Singer-Bart | Staff Writer

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Damascus High School was closed Wednesday due to a power outage, but power has been restored and school will open on time Thursday.

Power went out for nearly 500 Damascus customers along Ridge Road about 4:45 a.m. Wednesday morning, according to David Neurohr, spokesman for Allegheny Power.

The outage was caused by a tree or tree branches falling onto the power lines, which brought down a pole, he said. The pole had to be replaced.

Power was restored to the area at 8:40 a.m., Neurohr said.

Montgomery County had to make a decision about whether to open the school by 5 a.m., said Damascus High Principal Robert Domergue. Since they had no estimate of when power would be restored, the decision was made to close the school.

Families were notified by the school’s automated calling system, said Kate Harrison, MCPS spokeswoman. The school system also put a notice on its Web site.