Good morning Washington, WAMU reports that the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has declared it a Code Orange air alert day, but we can’t seem to find any information on MWCOG’s website about the air alert besides some general information. It’s going to be hot again with highs around 90.
Storm Report: We hope you survived the storm yesterday. (As for us, we got soaked trying to seek cover in a metrorail station, and we’re sure the deluge was just great for the escalator.) Near hurricane force winds hit the region when the fast moving storms rolled on through. For a quick roundup, the AP, via WTOP, reports that there’s some flooding on King Street and the Beltway; the Post says that 25,000 homes lost power. And a vigilant reader in Columbia Heights sends us this photo where “there’s a rush of water shooting out of the manhole across from Wonderland.” Workers were seen digging up the intersection of 11th and Kenyon streets. We don’t know if this was storm related or not, but it sure very well could be.
And Capital Weather has issued its summer outlook:
Temperatures should gradually get warmer with respect to normal as the summer progresses, with the warmest anomalies centered in late July and August.
More WMATA Woes: Beware, there were “16 minute” delays on the Red Line earlier this morning in both directions, WMATA reported. But that may not be the biggest headache Richard White and crew are dealing with. Adding to the transit agency’s migraine, the Post has published part three of in-depth series on the WMATA’s problems, this one focusing on abuse in the MetroAccess program, the service the transit agency offers to the disabled.
During the afternoon rush, WMATA officials will be distributing letters to riders responding to the Post’s series. The letter says that despite all the problems, WMATA runs the best transit service in the country.
In unrelated metrorail news: Bethesda, you’re getting an ATM at your metrorail station. More ATMs are coming elsewhere.
Md. Gov Says Night-Vision Tactics Will Stop: The W.Times reports that Maryland Gov. Robert Ehrlich says that the state police’s use of night vision goggles to catch seat-belt violators will end following complaints over the fairness of the hi-tech enforcement.
Briefly Noted: Serial arsonist admits guilt … Are you facing the prospect of a condo conversion? If you’re in Virginia, you have few rights … Kids learn the art of fishing — on the Mall.
