Md. apartments condemned weeks after 'derecho' - DC Breaking Local News Weather Sports FOX 5 WTTG

Md. apartments condemned weeks after 'derecho'

Posted: Updated:
  • Weather NewsWeather News

  • Here are some valuable links to check the power outages in the D.C. region.
    Here are some valuable links to check the power outages in the D.C. region.
  • Wednesday, June 12 2013 2:52 PM EDT2013-06-12 18:52:00 GMT
    Nearly two weeks after the derecho storm that knocked power out for about half the households in the Washington, D.C. area, an apartment building was condemned as uninhabitable.
    Nearly two weeks after the derecho storm that knocked power out for about half the households in the Washington, D.C. area, an apartment building was condemned as uninhabitable.
  • Wednesday, June 12 2013 2:52 PM EDT2013-06-12 18:52:00 GMT
    It has been more nearly three weeks since that wicked derecho swept across the D.C. area and the damage done that night is still affecting many neighborhoods.
    It has been more nearly three weeks since that wicked derecho swept across the D.C. area and the damage done that night is still affecting many neighborhoods. The power may be back on, but the costs of the mighty storm are still piling up.
RIVERDALE PARK, Md. -

Nearly two weeks after the derecho storm that knocked power out for about half the households in the Washington, D.C. area, an apartment building was condemned as uninhabitable.

Residents at one of the two Riverdale Towers buildings in Riverdale Park, Md., were ordered out on Wednesday evening.

By dinnertime Thursday, however, about two-thirds of the residents were told they could return.

Occupants say the roof of their building was patched following the violent thunderstorm of June 29th, but when a local thunderstorm dropped a lot of rain on Monday, apartments on most floors of the building were flooded.

"The water [was] coming through the ceiling," according to resident Placid D'Costa. "And the carpet [was] totally wet."

Someone called the fire department on Wednesday and county building inspectors soon followed. On Wednesday evening, authorities affixed "condemned" stickers on the front door, and began ordering residents to leave. There are 65 apartments in the building, according to county officials.

Ronnie Gill, the Director of Emergency Management for Prince George's County, said the concern was water possibly mixing with electricity. Both water and electrical service to the building was shut off.

Some families were given only an hour to evacuate.

An emergency shelter was quickly set up at Bladensburg High School. 27 people stayed there Wednesday night. Evacuated residents say building managers also offered them discounts at a local hotel.

Back at the condemned building at 2:15 p.m., a shipment of roofing materials arrived.

And remediation crews worked all day inside apartments on lower floors.

It may take days at least for the remaining 22 or so apartments to be inhabitable. According to Emergency Management Director Gill, some of the remaining apartments don't even have drywall standing in them.

  • FOX 5 Weather App

  • FOX 5 Weather App

    We know you have busy schedules and can't always get to a TV, so when you need weather information - and you need it immediately - there's only one place you need to click when you are on the go, the FOX 5 Weather App!!
    We know you have busy schedules and can't always get to a TV, so when you need weather information - and you need it immediately - there's only one place you need to click when you are on the go, the FOX 5 Weather App!!
Powered by WorldNow

WTTG FOX 5 & myfoxdc
5151 Wisconsin Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20016
Main Number: (202) 244-5151
Newsroom: (202) 895-3000
fox5tips@wttg.com

Didn't find what you were looking for?
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2013 Fox Television Stations, Inc. and Worldnow. All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Ad Choices