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Council, staff and residents praise volunteer cleanup and rapid utility restoration after Hagerstown storm
Summary
After a severe storm and widespread power outages earlier in April, Mayor William McIntyre, council members and residents credited city crews, contractors and volunteers for rapid repair work and community cleanup efforts and announced neighborhood cleanup events and municipal assistance.
Council members, the acting city administrator and residents used the April 22 meeting to thank city staff, contractors and volunteers for response and cleanup after a recent severe storm that left thousands without power.
Acting City Administrator (speaker identified by role) said many city staff and outside contractors worked long shifts to restore service, and the meeting record shows the mayor reported roughly 18,500 utility customers served by the city and that 13,000 customers lost power during the event; council members said most outages were restored within three days and only a few remained at the time of the meeting. Mayor William McIntyre praised city crews, public safety staff and volunteers, noting neighbors helped each other with chainsaws, fence repair and other immediate needs.
Residents and nonprofit volunteers described ongoing cleanup efforts. Steve Jones, who organizes volunteer cleanups through a group called Cleaning Up Hagerstown (planning a nonprofit rebrand to Keep It Clean MD), said volunteers have removed more than 10,000 pounds of debris along Antietam Creek and other locations and are recruiting additional volunteers. Council members and the acting administrator highlighted several upcoming neighborhood cleanups and city‑sponsored debris pickup and removal opportunities tied to Earth Day and other local events.
Council members urged patience from residents while crews complete remaining restorations and emphasized local cooperation; several council members recounted personal experiences helping neighbors during the outages. The mayor closed the meeting by reiterating gratitude to staff and volunteers and offering prayers and best wishes for a city administrator recovering from illness.
No formal policy decisions were made during this portion of the meeting; rather, council used the time to acknowledge response efforts and to publicize volunteer and city cleanup activities.
