MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (7News) — A water leak has forced Montgomery County officials to condemn a Safeway Grocery store and apartment building in Maryland, forcing out over 1,000 residents.
The county is now working to find shelter for the people who have to leave their homes.
The Safeway and Arrive Wheaton Apartments at 11201 Georgia Avenue in Wheaton, Maryland, had five feet of water flooding the basement and affected power to the building, said a Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service (MCFRS) spokesperson.
“I have no idea what I’m going to do.,” said Adrian Rico, who went to work Wednesday morning thinking the problem would be fixed by the time he got home. “It’s going to be hard to know what to do, honestly. No idea. Overwhelmed by the situation.”
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The power outages affected nearby traffic lights near the intersection of Georgia Avenue and Reedie Drive, according to officials.
7News cameras also spotted buses outside on Georgia Avenue waiting to take residents to a shelter in Silver Spring.
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There are around 300,000 gallons of water in the basement area. The power is being controlled in that area as a precaution because the water filled up several utility rooms, including the electrical and mechanical rooms, according to the spokesperson.
7News also watched Safeway workers putting food onto ice to try and save as much as possible.
The water leak has not been resolved just yet, said a MCFRS spokesperson. Both the 11201 and 11215 Georgia Avenue apartment buildings are without power, and Montgomery County officials said it could be a couple of days.
7News reached out to the apartment complex as well as Safeway for comment.
The shelter is at the Mid-County Community Recreation Center on Queensguard Road.
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