Jersey Central Power & Light Severe Weather Update

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Jan 23, 2017, 15:50 ET

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Jan. 23, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has restored service to more than 30,000 customers who lost power as a result of the strong winds and heavy rain that moved through the region beginning late last night and early today.

Currently, a workforce of more than 1,100 JCP&L personnel and contractors has been deployed and will work around the clock as part of the restoration effort. In addition, approximately 260 additional FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) line workers, hazard responders and contractors from Ohio are traveling to New Jersey to provide assistance.

Restoration efforts are continuing for the remaining 13,000 customers without power in the hardest hit areas of Monmouth, Ocean and Burlington counties, with the majority of affected customers expected to be restored by late Tuesday. The crews have been hampered by heavy rain and wind gusts reaching 50 to 60 mph at times.

Customers who are without power are encouraged to call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) to report their outage or click the "Report Outage" link on www.firstenergycorp.com. Customers should immediately report downed wires to their utility or their local police or fire department. Customers should never go near a downed power line, even if they think it is no longer carrying electricity. Extra caution should be exercised in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.

For additional information, follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL, or online at www.jcp-l.com.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.