College Park, MD – A widespread power outage disrupted operations across the University of Maryland campus in College Park early on March 8, 2026, prompting a swift response from university staff and utility crews to restore electricity and assist affected individuals.
The outage, which began around midnight, impacted various parts of the campus, including residence halls, steam systems, and hot water services. University officials issued an advisory informing the community that Facilities Management teams were actively assessing the situation on site. To ensure safety, crews were immediately dispatched to aid individuals who found themselves trapped in elevators due to the sudden loss of power.
As the incident unfolded, the university emphasized its commitment to resolving the issue promptly. By just after 1:30 a.m., power restoration efforts were underway, with most residence halls regaining electricity. Officials noted that while full power was being reinstated across the campus, ancillary services such as steam and hot water would gradually improve as the restoration process continued.
Pepco, the local utility provider, played a key role in the response. The company reported receiving initial calls about the outage shortly after midnight. Pepco crews quickly mobilized to investigate the cause and determined that the issue did not originate from their equipment. This assessment allowed focus to shift toward targeted repairs within the university’s infrastructure.
The power outage occurred without prior warning, catching many students and staff off guard during the late-night hours. Residence halls, home to thousands of students, experienced disruptions that affected lighting, heating, and other essential services. The entrapment of individuals in elevators highlighted the immediate safety concerns, underscoring the importance of rapid intervention by Facilities Management.
University spokesperson indicated that the advisory was intended to keep the community informed while teams worked tirelessly to mitigate the impacts. As power began to return, the focus turned to verifying the functionality of critical systems. For instance, the restoration of steam and hot water was prioritized to ensure comfort in dormitories, where temperatures could drop quickly in the early spring chill.
This event at the University of Maryland serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities in campus infrastructure, particularly during off-peak hours when fewer personnel are on duty. While the cause of the outage remains under investigation, the coordinated efforts between university staff and Pepco ensured that the disruption was short-lived, with full operations resuming shortly thereafter.
No injuries were reported from the elevator incidents, thanks to the prompt assistance provided. Students in affected residence halls were advised to remain patient as services normalized. The university’s preparedness, including on-site assessment teams, demonstrated effective emergency protocols in action.
As of the latest updates, the campus returned to normalcy, allowing academic and residential activities to proceed without further interruption. This incident, though brief, illustrated the resilience of the University of Maryland community in handling unexpected challenges related to power restoration. For more information, visit FOX Baltimore.