Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), Penelec, Met-Ed, West Penn Power and Potomac Edison are preparing now for the possible impact of Hurricane Sandy and other severe weather predicted for early next week, FirstEnergy said today.
Weather forecasters are predicting a very powerful, damaging, multi-day storm with high winds, heavy precipitation and flooding across a wide portion of the east coast.
“Depending on the severity of the storm’s impact on the electrical system, customers are encouraged to prepare for the possibility of power outages lasting up to seven to 10 days by taking action before the storm occurs”, the company said.
- Keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy. Use care when burning candles; open flames are a fire hazard.
- 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.
- Keep a battery-powered radio with extra batteries on hand. Tune in to a local radio station for current storm information.
- Have a hard-wired telephone or a charged cell phone handy in the event you need to report your electricity is out. Mobile phones can be charged in your vehicle using a car charger when power is out. If you have a smart phone, this will ensure you have access to online information sources.
As a result of the weather forecasts, FirstEnergy is mobilizing internal crews and support personnel to assist in the restoration process if the storm causes large-scale power outages in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland. In addition, the company is securing outside utility crews, electrical contractors and tree contractors.
“Based on current predictions, we are making plans to position our crews to get ahead of the storm and minimize the impact on our customers,” said Chuck Jones, president of FirstEnergy Utilities. “FirstEnergy crews and additional hazard teams and support staff are ready to assist the restoration process.”
FirstEnergy customer call centers will be fully staffed. Customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage. In the event of severe weather, customers should immediately report downed wires to their electric company or local police or fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if you think it’s no longer carrying electricity.
Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. However, 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, always disconnect the power coming into your home. Otherwise, power from your generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers. TLS-PR.
Just shut us down today already…….
Will there be school???
I’m in Westgate area. I have already schduled a power outage report with JCP&L effective as of 30 minutes into the storm.
Don’t panic
Make sure you fill your car’s gas tank because if there’s a power outage, gas pumps won’t be working either.
I also live in Westgate and know that as soon as there are drizzles we are to expect power outages. I am from NY and have never seen anything like this is my life. Westgate is so notorious for this.
Don’t wait till your sitting in the dark!
GET A GENERATOR TODAY!!!!
Generator in stock!
Contact us today to schedule your free in home estimate.
Call (732) FOR-TECH (367-8324)
email info@fortechelectric.com
call AP ELECTRIC today to get your generator hooked up!
732-367-0055
Shir Hamalos Mi Mamakim…… Please H-shem can you turn this storm away from us and if it has to hit please let it be minimal and no casualties. Please keep us safe. All you got to do is daven. Doesn’t have to be me my exact words. I was just getting a point out. He wants us to daven and ask for his help and return to him with teshuva.
Lakewoods Town fathers have still not paid JCPL yet for over a year. Do you think they care about westgate and the rest of our town……..i can hear them now…..^%^&& vLakewood
Hurricanes are very serious.
Here’s some easy things you should do now.
A: stickup in yarzeit candles especially 7 day
B: make sure you have lots if bottled water
C: make sure u have at least one week supply if baby food and formula
D: Radio shack has a battery free wind up weather radio
E: if the authorities evacuate, LEAVE.
F: also helpful to stock up on canned food. If C’v it does hit, you’ll b considered rich
G: And ofcourse pray ( should’ve been number one)
“… I am from NY and have never seen anything like this is my life…”
So if you don’t like it move back to NY.
whats crazy is that we have to spend $8000 on generators because something is screwed up with this towns electric!
Why should he move back to NY?? Let JCP&L figure out a way that they can provide service while its drizzling outside!
I have lived in Westgate for a about 15 months and we have suffered at least a dozen power outages.Most of them were for a short amount of time which really boggles the mind. I could understand if there were massive storms and everyone lost electricity but it seems a bit odd that a modern and newly built development should lose power every time someone sneezes too hard.
can we get an update on the storm
computer models are still all over the place as to where the storm will make landfall. could be as far south as Maryland or as far North as Boston so the impact could be stron or it could just as easily be a nuisance type rainsorm.