More Than 930,000 JCP&L Customers Lose Power Due to Hurricane
Sandy; 4,000 Workers Responding
MORRISTOWN, N.J., Oct. 30,
2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power & Light
(JCP&L) is assessing the extensive damage from Hurricane Sandy,
with more than 1,600 linemen, 1,200 forestry workers and other
personnel available to help restore power to customers. This
is the worst storm damage in JCP&L history, far worse than
experienced during Hurricane Irene and the October 2011 snowstorm. As a result,
restoration times will likely be longer.
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Damage assessment began this morning with crews on the ground.
Today, after winds subside, helicopter crews will inspect 230
kilovolt (kV) transmission lines that are damaged. Early
assessments indicate parts of the transmission system may need to
be rebuilt. Helicopters also will assess the extensive damage
throughout the system. JCP&L has 10 helicopters available
and is working to secure more.
As of this morning, more than 930,000 JCP&L customers are
without power and that number will probably increase as assessment
continues. Limited restoration of power is expected to take
place today while crews assess damage. JCP&L urges
customers to make preparations given the expected lengthy
outages.
Downed trees and branches have made many roads impassable, and
these closures could delay this process. Forestry crews are
working to remove downed trees and branches. Once winds die
down and bucket trucks can be operated safely, those crews will be
dispatched to handle repairs.
JCP&L's emergency operations center is already in full
operation. Mobile command centers also are placed
strategically around the state. Many of JCP&L's
substations near the shore were sandbagged to help prevent water
damage and are now being assessed. At least a few substations
experienced flooding due to storm surge. The early priority will be
rebuilding transmission damage and repairing flooded substations.
Emergency services, including hospitals, police, fire and first aid
will be given first priority for restoration of service.
Then, repairs are scheduled based on restoring the most
customers the fastest.
JCP&L reminds customers to keep safety first as restoration
begins and to stay away from downed power lines. Customers
are asked to report outages at 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)
immediately. The more people who call, the faster JCP&L
can pinpoint the locations to send crews for repairs.
On Monday evening, JCP&L proactively de-energized
substations to the barrier islands in Monmouth and Ocean counties to preserve equipment and help
speed the process of restoration.
Customers are encouraged to be safe and prepare for the
possibility of extended outages.
- Stay away from downed power lines. They could be
electrified and should always be considered dangerous. Don't
walk or drive near or over a downed line, and watch out for
anything touching the line. If a wire falls on a vehicle,
passengers should stay inside until help arrives.
- If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of
bottled water and consider filling your bathtub with fresh
water.
- 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.
For updated information on the company's storm preparation
efforts, current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process
and tips for staying safe, customers are urged to visit the 24/7
Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages. Or
follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L and Facebook at
www.facebook.com/JCPandL for the latest information.
JCP&L is a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE).
JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in the counties of
Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union
and Warren.
FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety,
reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric
distribution companies form one of the nation's largest
investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New
Jersey, New York and West
Virginia. Its generation subsidiaries control more than
20,000 megawatts of capacity from a diversified mix of scrubbed
coal, non-emitting nuclear, natural gas, hydro, pumped-storage
hydro and other renewables. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter
@FirstEnergyCorp.
SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.