Md. apartment building damaged during strong storms; some residents temporarily evacuated
ADELPHI, Md. - Some residents at a high-rise apartment building in Adelphi were temporarily evacuated as authorities assessed damage that is believed to have been caused by the severe storms that passed through the area Thursday night.
Prince George's County Fire and EMS said crews found broken windows and cracks in the bricks and drywall of a 20-story building at the Presidential Towers complex in the 1800 block of Metzerott Road.
"The theory is that when the strong storm rolled through at about 8:30 [p.m.] this evening, it pressurized some confined spaces in this apartment building and actually pushed out some walls - not really causing any real structural damage, but cosmetic damage to drywall," said Prince George's County Fire and EMS spokesperson Mark Brady. "We had a broken window or two, some window blinds were ruffled up, so very strong winds entered this building and somehow pressurized confined spaces enough to push out the walls."
After investigating, it was found the damage was cosmetic and the county's building inspector determined the building was safe.