Lightning struck a Potomac neighborhood during Monday evening’s severe thunderstorms, causing power surges and burning out electrical meters at two homes, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) officials.
According to MCFRS spokesperson David Pazos, crews were dispatched at around 5:30 p.m. to a home in the 10800 block of Nantucket Terrace off Falls Road for a report of smoke in the basement of a house.
Upon arrival, crews found an electrical meter malfunctioning and sparks and smoke emanating from the panel, Pazos said. No fire was found.
MCFRS crews called Pepco to “expedite having the power shut off” to the home, and while the crews were waiting outside another neighbor arrived and reported electrical issues in their home, Pazos said.
“This was right after storms had passed, so they’re likely tying it into the storm event,” Pazos said.
He added that MCFRS crews were unable to determine the origin of the lightning strike and were unsure if lightning had hit the homes or someplace else.
To fix the issues, Pepco turned off power to the neighborhood and then isolated power supplied to the two homes, Pazos said. After the homes had isolated power, Pepco returned electrical service to the rest of the neighborhood.
When crews left the scene, Pazos said Pepco was working with the residents of the two homes about what repairs may be needed.
No injuries to people or pets were reported and the residents of the two homes were not displaced, he said.