Montgomery County Fire and Rescue (MCFR) asked residents to be cautious as they clean up debris around their homes in the aftermath of powerful storms.

“As people wake up and they wander around their yard, we want to recommend that if they come across a downed power line or a downed line, regardless of what it is, treat it as though it’s energized,” MCFR Spokesman Capt. Oscar Garcia said.

Garcia is also asking for residents to pay attention to their surroundings.  

“At anytime the wire could be touching something else, that wire can be energized even if it’s touching something else like a fence,” he added.

If you need assistance with a downed power line, call Pepco at: 1-877-737-2662 and press 2.