Prince George’s County Public Schools will be closed on Friday, 4 September, after severe storms brought down trees and power lines across the Washington DC region, leaving 25 schools and offices without electricity.
The closure affects all schools in the Maryland district, which is based in Upper Marlboro. Downed trees and damaged power lines are also complicating efforts to restore supplies, officials said.
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning for Prince George’s County and surrounding areas late on Thursday night. Forecasters warned of wind gusts of up to 70mph, while a gust of 59mph was recorded at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
The storm line was moving east at about 45mph as it passed through the region, with the weather service warning that damaging winds could bring down trees and large branches and cause power outages.
Prince George’s County Public Schools is operating under Code Green. Twelve-month employees are expected to report for work on time, although liberal leave is available.
Tens of thousands of people across the Washington metropolitan area were left without power after the storms, as utility crews and emergency services worked to clear obstructions and assess damage.
