AKRON,
Ohio, Jan. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy
Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric company personnel are prepared to respond
to potential service interruptions caused by a winter storm system
expected to bring high winds, snow and heavy rain to portions of
the company's service areas in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, Maryland and
West Virginia this week.
A video playlist of utility personnel discussing the
impact of wind storms on equipment and restoration efforts is
available on YouTube.
Company meteorologists have been tracking the storm for several
days. The system is expected to bring the following conditions to
each state:
- Ohio: Wet snow is
expected to fall across parts of northern and central Ohio beginning early Tuesday morning before
transitioning to rain later in the day Tuesday through Wednesday.
Strong wind gusts of more than 50 miles per hour (mph) are
expected, with some areas along the northeast Ohio lakeshore reaching wind speeds of more
than 60 mph.
- Pennsylvania: Snow is
expected in northern and central Pennsylvania early Tuesday and will become
increasingly wet throughout the day before transitioning to rain.
Heavy rains are expected across most portions of central and
eastern Pennsylvania, with
localized flooding possible through Wednesday. Strong wind gusts of
more than 50 mph are expected, with some areas along the
northwestern lakeshore reaching wind speeds of more than 60
mph.
- New Jersey: Heavy rain
is expected to begin Tuesday afternoon, with localized flooding
possible through Wednesday. Strong wind gusts of more than 50 mph
are expected early Wednesday, with some areas along the coastline
reaching wind speeds of more than 60 mph.
- West Virginia and
Maryland: A mixture of snow
and freezing rain is expected beginning Tuesday afternoon into
Wednesday morning before changing to rain. On Wednesday, wind gusts
up to 55 mph are expected in eastern West
Virginia and western Maryland.
Wade Smith, President of
FirstEnergy Utilities: "While we invest in our electric system
throughout the year to keep power flowing to customers in all
weather conditions, the combination of high winds; heavy, wet snow
and rain carries the potential for power outages and presents
challenges for our crews during repair efforts. We are vigilantly
monitoring both the current storm system and the forecasted severe
weather over the next week, and we are committed to taking every
necessary step to ensure safe and prompt restoration of electric
service for our customers."
FirstEnergy's electric companies are implementing storm response
plans, which include:
- Implementing 16-hour-shifts for storm personnel with
around-the-clock coverage.
- Staffing additional internal operators, damage assessors and
analysts at distribution control centers to assist with high
volumes of outage calls.
- Notifying contractors to be ready to assist with restoration
efforts.
- Securing additional line, substation and forestry
personnel.
- Contacting emergency management officials, state officials,
regulators and local officials about the company's storm
preparation efforts.
Sustained winds and heavy rain could slow restoration efforts,
as crews cannot safely operate bucket trucks when wind speeds
exceed 40 miles per hour. Saturated soil and flooding can also
hinder access and create hazardous conditions for crews as they
work to make repairs to lines and equipment damaged by fallen trees
and branches.
After a major weather event, hundreds or even thousands of
damage locations, including broken poles and downed power lines,
are common. FirstEnergy personnel prioritize clearing hazards
like downed power lines, trees and blocked roads to ensure public
safety. Employees must also assess the damage to enable line crews
to access outage sites and initiate safe repairs. The formal
restoration process focuses on addressing widespread outages first,
before tackling more isolated issues.
How to Report Power Outages and Downed Lines
Customers who experience a service interruption due to the storm
are encouraged to report their outage by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS
(1-888-544-4877), texting OUT to LIGHTS (544487) or clicking the
"Outages" link on firstenergycorp.com.
FirstEnergy customers can sign up to receive email and text
message alert notifications for updates after they've reported a
power outage. Customers can also use two-way text messaging to
report outages, request updates on restoration efforts and make
other inquiries about their electric accounts. More information
about these communication tools is available
at firstenergycorp.com/connect.
High winds and saturated soil can bring down trees and branches
onto power lines. Customers should assume all downed or low-hanging
power lines are energized and dangerous. Stay at least 30 feet away
and use extra caution where downed lines are tangled in trees or
other debris. Report downed lines ASAP by calling 911.
For updated information on the company's current outages, the
company's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe,
visit FirstEnergy's 24/7 Power Center
at firstenergycorp.com/outages.
Customers Encouraged to Prepare in Advance of the
Storm
FirstEnergy encourages customers to plan for the possibility of
power outages due to the impending storm by following these
tips:
- Keep electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops and
tablets fully charged.
- Have a car charger on-hand to charge mobile devices if your
power is out. If you have a smart phone, this will ensure you have
access to online information sources.
- Keep a flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries handy in
the event of a power outage. Tune to a local station for current
storm information.
- Do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters or other open-flame
heat sources to prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas from building up
in your home.
- If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of
bottled water and/or fill your bathtub with fresh water.
- Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not
require cooking.
- Consider having a hard-wired phone available to report an
outage or emergency. A plain, hard-wired phone can operate on power
delivered through the phone line.
- View additional generator safety information.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and
operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form
one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems,
serving customers in Ohio,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West
Virginia, Maryland and
New York. The company's
transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of
transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic
regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and
follow FirstEnergy and its operating companies on X, formerly known
as Twitter, @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo,
@OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed,
@PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.