AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp.
(NYSE: FE) utility personnel are prepared to respond to service
interruptions caused by a complex winter storm that is expected to
bring heavy snow and damaging ice to Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia this week.
Company meteorologists have been tracking the winter storm for
several days. The slow-moving system could bring up to 2 feet of
snowfall in western Ohio and a
combination of rain, sleet, ice accumulation and snow to central
and eastern Ohio, western and central Pennsylvania and far western West Virginia. Minor ice and snow accumulation
is possible in the remaining parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia, as well as Maryland and New
Jersey. Localized flooding could occur in areas where rain
mixes with melting snow. Precipitation will begin early in the day
on Wednesday and continue into Friday for many areas.
"While we invest in our electric system throughout the year to
enhance service reliability for customers, significant
accumulations of ice and snow have the potential to cause power
outages," said Sam Belcher, senior
vice president of FirstEnergy and president of FirstEnergy
Utilities. "We understand the challenges of being without power,
especially this time of year, and we are taking every step to
ensure our crews are prepared to restore electric service to
customers impacted by the storm as quickly and safely as
possible."
FirstEnergy's electric utilities are implementing storm response
plans, which include staffing additional dispatchers, damage
assessors and analysts at regional dispatch offices, and arranging
to bring in additional line, substation and forestry personnel, as
needed, based on the severity of the weather. The company has also
notified contractors who work throughout FirstEnergy's footprint on
projects to enhance service reliability for customers to be ready
to assist with restoration efforts.
The winter storm is expected to impact a significant portion of
the United States, with areas as
far away as Texas already seeing
the storm materialize. FirstEnergy has been in contact with mutual
assistance groups and, given the widespread nature of the storm,
many companies are preparing to restore power in their own
footprints. The company will continue to communicate with
contractors and electric industry mutual assistance organizations
in the coming days to understand additional crews and other
resources that are available to assist with restoration
efforts.
FirstEnergy representatives have also been in contact with
emergency management officials, state officials, regulators and
local officials about the company's storm preparation efforts.
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
"Report Outage" link on www.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
www.firstenergycorp.com/connect.
Ice accumulation can bring down power lines and tree branches.
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
www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.
Customers Encouraged to Prepare in Advance of the
Storm
FirstEnergy encourages customers to plan for the possibility of
power outages and cold temperatures due to the impending winter
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.
- Gather extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.
- 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.
Operate Backup Generators Safely
Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing
or wanting uninterrupted service. To ensure the safety of the
home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who
may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator
should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician.
When operating a generator, the power coming into the home
should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator
could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous
situation for utility workers. Locate the generator outside of your
home and far away from windows, doors and vents. Never locate a
generator inside your home.
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
www.firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy and its
operating companies on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison,
@IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power,
@Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.
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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.