Snowblower Used on Interstate Pummels Nearby Houses

Some residents in Rockville and Germantown claim that a powerful snowblower used by the Maryland State Highway Administration last week pummeled their houses, breaking windows and damaging siding.

Mary Plummer of Rockville called 911 after she heard windows breaking. When she went downstairs, she found snow, ice and rocks in the living room of her condo, reports WTOP. Her kitchen window was shattered, allowing frigid air inside.

NBC 4 Washington says a piece of snow removal equipment that shoots a plume of snow, ice and debris into the air launched the material over the sound barriers of Interstate 270 into backyards and through windows.

Residents have contacted the Maryland State Highway Administration and are working with officials to see who is responsible and how repairs will be carried out.

Plummer says she hopes that whoever used the snow-blower strategy will rethink it.

"I feel extremely lucky that this debris did not come through the bedroom window."