AKRON,
Ohio, Dec. 22, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy
Corp. (NYSE: FE) utility personnel are prepared to respond to
possible service interruptions caused by a significant winter storm
that is expected to bring ice, snow, rain, heavy wind and bitterly
cold temperatures to its service territory beginning this afternoon
through Saturday.
Company meteorologists have been tracking the winter storm for
several days and expect severe winds and extreme cold throughout
its entire service territory. In addition, ice accumulations are
forecast in eastern West Virginia,
northwestern Maryland and
southwestern Pennsylvania, and
heavy, blowing snow is expected throughout Ohio and parts of Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Heavy rain could occur in
eastern Pennsylvania and
New Jersey.
Severe weather – particularly the wind, with widespread gusts of
40 to 50 miles per hour and reaching higher than 60 miles per hour
along the lakeshores and ridgetops – will continue for more than 12
hours, impacting power restoration efforts. Line crews cannot
safely go up in bucket trucks to make repairs when wind speeds are
excessive. In addition, plummeting temperatures will flash freeze
standing water, creating icy road conditions that can make it
difficult to access damage to make repairs. Crews will need to take
frequent breaks to warm up in their trucks with wind chills dipping
as low as minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit.
FirstEnergy's electric utilities are implementing storm response
plans, which include staffing additional operators, damage
assessors and analysts at distribution control centers, and
arranging to bring in additional line, substation and forestry
personnel. The company has also notified contractors who work
throughout FirstEnergy's footprint on service reliability projects
to be on deck to assist with restoration efforts. The company will
coordinate with contractors and electric industry mutual assistance
organizations to obtain additional resources, based on the
magnitude of the storm.
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/outages.
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 communications 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,
and do not touch anything that is also in contact with a power
line. 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.