Work continues to restore service to
remaining customers impacted by inclement weather; FirstEnergy
prepares for new storm system this weekend
AKRON,
Ohio, Jan. 11, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy
Corp. (NYSE: FE) has restored power to 97% of the 373,000 customers
who lost power following a significant storm that impacted its
service territory Tuesday and Wednesday this week. Crews will
continue working to restore service to the 12,600 customers,
primarily in Pennsylvania and
New Jersey, who remain without
power.
At the same time, FirstEnergy is preparing for a new weather
system that will impact its entire service territory beginning
Friday through early Sunday morning. Throughout the day Friday,
winds are expected to gust in excess of 40 mph throughout most of
Ohio, western Pennsylvania, West
Virginia, western Maryland
and central New Jersey, with
higher gusts exceeding 55 mph along the Lake Erie shoreline, West
Virginia ridgetops and the shore in New Jersey. On Saturday, strong winds will
continue in Ohio and West Virginia and expand throughout all of
Pennsylvania, Maryland and New
Jersey.
In addition, Friday's winds will be accompanied by wet, heavy
snow turning to rain in northwest Ohio, north central and southwest Pennsylvania, eastern West Virginia and western Maryland. Rain totaling up to an inch will
fall in Ohio, western Pennsylvania and western West Virginia, and up to two inches will fall
in eastern Pennsylvania,
Maryland and New Jersey.
Wade Smith, President of
FirstEnergy Utilities: "We know it has been a challenging week
for customers who experienced power outages due to this week's
weather, and we thank them for their patience and support of our
hardworking crews. We continue to work diligently to restore
service to those who remain without power. In addition, we are
keeping a close eye on the incoming weather and diligently
preparing to address any resulting outages safely and
efficiently."
More than 5,000 line workers, hazard responders, forestry crews,
contractors, safety and other support personnel have been involved
in storm response, including resources from outside the company.
Staffing of appropriate resources will continue through the weekend
to respond to any outages that may occur from the new storm.
Current outage updates as of 10
a.m. today include:
- The Illuminating Company: Approximately 37,700 customers
in northeast Ohio lost power due
to the storm, and 150 customers remain without service. The
majority of customers are expected to have power restored by
4 p.m. today.
- Ohio Edison: Approximately 23,400 customers in northern,
eastern and central Ohio lost
power due to the storm, and 20 remain without service. Power is
expected to be restored to these customers today.
- Penn Power: Approximately 4,100 customers in western
Pennsylvania lost power due to the
storm, and less than 20 remain without service. Power is expected
to be restored to these customers today.
- Penelec: Approximately 79,500 customers in northern
and central Pennsylvania lost
power due to the storm, and 3,300 remain without service. Work will
continue to restore power to many customers throughout the day
today, with restoration in the hardest hit area of Erie County expected by 11 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 13.
- West Penn Power: Approximately 41,000 customers in
western Pennsylvania lost power
due to the storm, and 600 remain without service. The majority of
customers are expected to have power restored by 11 p.m. today.
- Met-Ed: Approximately 31,600 customers in eastern
Pennsylvania lost power due to the
storm, and 1,400 remain without service. The majority of customers
are expected to have power restored by 11
p.m. today.
- Mon Power: Approximately 31,600 customers in
West Virginia lost power due to
the storm, and 2,100 remain without service. Power is expected to
be restored to these customers today.
- Potomac Edison: Approximately 21,400 customers in
the West Virginia panhandle and
Maryland lost power due to the
storm, and 800 remain without service. The majority of customers
are expected to have power restored by 11
p.m. today.
- JCP&L: Approximately 97,300 customers in
New Jersey lost power due to the
storm, and 4,300 remain without service. The majority of customers
are expected to have power restored by 11:30
p.m. today.
How to Report Power Outages and Downed Lines
Customers who have experienced a service interruption due to the
storm are encouraged to report their outage if they have not
already done so 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.
The high winds have brought 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.
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 electric 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 power lines, creating a hazardous
situation for company 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 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.