Nation in brief: Outages hit D.C. following storms
WASHINGTON – Massive power outages hit the nation’s capital and surrounding areas Sunday night after powerful storms barreled through and downed power lines and countless trees, including one that fell on a minivan and killed a woman.
The storms cooled things off after almost two weeks with temperatures in the high 90s but left widespread damage, authorities said. Pepco spokesman Clay Anderson said more than 293,000 customers in Montgomery County, Prince George’s County and D.C. were without power late Sunday. Because of such widespread damage, there was no timetable for most places to be back on line, he said.
Not only were power lines down but electric poles are broken and numerous transformers are damaged, he said.
Prince George’s County fire spokesman Mark Brady said two women were in the minivan in Beltsville when it was crushed by a tree. A woman in her 40s was killed and a woman in her 60s was injured.
Baltimore Gas & Electric, meanwhile, said about 57,000 customers still were without service and 38,000 Dominion Virginia Power customers were out.
MONTICELLO, Iowa – Flooding from the Maquoketa River after the Lake Delhi dam failed has damaged dozens of homes and businesses, causing millions of dollars in damage in Monticello, officials said Sunday.
The Lake Delhi dam in eastern Iowa failed Saturday as rising floodwater from the Maquoketa River ate a 30-foot-wide hole in it. Areas below the dam, including in Hopkinton and Monticello, were evacuated.
The river crested upstream of the dam at Manchester early Saturday afternoon at 24.53 feet – more than 10 feet above flood stage and well above its 2004 record of 21.66 feet – before it began to slowly recede.
About 50 homes and 20 businesses had major flood damage and the city’s sewer plant had been flooded and shut down about 7 p.m. Saturday, said Monticello Public Works Director Dana Edwards.
Iams cat food lots being recalled
CINCINNATI – Consumer products giant Procter & Gamble Co. said Sunday it is voluntarily recalling two lots of Iams brand prescription renal dry cat food because it could be contaminated with salmonella.
The products are available by prescription through veterinary clinics.
No illnesses have been reported, but an FDA analysis identified positive results on two lots of Iams Veterinary Formulas Feline Renal 5.5 pounds: numbers 01384174B4 0 19014 21405 1 and 01384174B2 0 19014 21405 1.
Codes are found in the lower right corner on the back of the bag.
Anyone owning the food should throw it out. Pets can become infected, and people handling the dry pet food can become infected with salmonella as well if they do not wash their hands. Salmonella can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, seniors and others with weakened immune systems.
Customers seeking more information or a refund should call P&G at (877) 894-4458.