High winds and heavy rain Monday morning knocked out power to more than 50,000 Baltimore Gas & Electric Co. customers throughout the city and surrounding counties and caused coastal flooding in low-lying areas.

Baltimore County officials temporarily issued a "shelter in place" advisory for Bowleys Quarters and Millers Island, with reports of standing water ranging from 8 inches to 2 feet in some areas. Fire crews evacuated at least one family from the 2800 block of Bay Drive on Millers Island, and residents were urged to stay indoors until the water receded.

The county opened flooding centers at the Edgemere Senior Center and the Essex Senior Center for residents who were unable to reach their homes, but no one used them and they were closed just after 4 p.m., according to emergency management officials. No injuries were reported.

In Carroll County, five roads along the Monocacy River were closed Monday due to high water: Starners Dam Road, Baptist Road, Keysville Frederick County Road, Sixes Bridge Road and Mumma Ford Road.

At 5 p.m., about 20,500 customers in the area remained without power, although service had been restored to more than 53,300 since the blustery conditions began, BGE said.

"Baltimore County was among the hardest-hit areas," with more outages reported there than in any other jurisdiction, said BGE spokeswoman Linda Foy. The utility began its storm operations at 4 a.m., she said.

Three Baltimore County public schools and eight Baltimore public schools were closed Monday due to the power outages.

To report downed wires and power outages, BGE customers should call 877-778-2222. The company recommends keeping supplies such as flashlights, battery-operated clock radios and batteries, corded telephones, nonperishable food, and blankets on hand in the event of an outage.