FirstEnergy Crews Continue to Make Repairs Following Widespread Wind Storm

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Feb 25, 2019, 14:55 ET

AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 25, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Service has been restored to more than 658,900 FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) customers who lost power due to a powerful wind storm that continues to sweep through the Mid-Atlantic region.

Sustained winds of nearly 40 mph, coupled with gusts exceeding 60 mph, began battering Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and western Pennsylvania early yesterday morning. Eastern parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey are receiving the brunt of the winds today.

Since the storm began, repairs have been made at hundreds of locations, and crews are working around the clock to assess damage and restore service to approximately 202,700 customers who remain without power in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey. Approximately 1,300 additional contractor line workers as well as hazard responders are being deployed to assist Ohio Edison, Penn Power, The Illuminating Company, West Penn Power, Potomac Edison, Mon Power and Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) personnel with restoration efforts. The company is also requesting additional line workers through its memberships in utility mutual assistance organizations.

"As the wind storm crossed our service territory, we've seen thousands of instances of downed wires, broken poles and crossarms, and damaged transformers caused by trees and other debris contacting our electrical equipment," said Samuel L. Belcher, senior vice president and president of FirstEnergy Utilities. "Though repair work can be slowed by the continued high winds and numerous road closures, we will continue to work around the clock to safely make repairs and deploy resources as needed until power to all customers has been restored."

A video playlist of utility personnel discussing the impact of wind storms on equipment and restoration efforts is available on YouTube.

Current company updates as of 1:30 p.m. today include:

Toledo Edison: Approximately 17,000 customers in western Ohio lost power due to the storm, and 250 customers remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11 p.m. today.
The Illuminating Company: Approximately 123,500 customers in northeast Ohio lost power due to the storm, and 15,700 customers remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 1 p.m. Wednesday.
Ohio Edison: Approximately 156,400 customers in northern and central Ohio lost power due to the storm, and 15,900 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 4 p.m. Thursday.
Penn Power: Approximately 27,700 customers in western Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 5,500 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 4 p.m. Thursday.
Penelec: Approximately 114,900 customers in northern and central Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 11,700 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by midnight Wednesday.
West Penn Power: Approximately 128,300 customers in western Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 55,700 remain without service. Estimated restoration times will be established as damage assessment progresses.
Mon Power: Approximately 88,400 customers in West Virginia lost power due to the storm, and 24,200 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11 p.m. Thursday.
Potomac Edison: Approximately 56,700 customers in Maryland and West Virginia lost power due to the storm, and 18,600 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11 p.m. Friday.
Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed): Approximately 38,500 customers in eastern Pennsylvania have lost power due to the storm, and 9,900 remain without service. Additional outages could occur today as the winds move through the area. Based on current outages, the majority of customers are expected to be restored by 4 p.m. tomorrow.
JCP&L: Approximately 110,200 customers in northern and central New Jersey have lost power due to the storm, and 42,700 remain without service. Additional outages could occur today as the winds move through the area. Estimated restoration times will be established as damage assessment progresses.

For updated information on the company's current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

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 taken in areas where downed wires may be tangled in downed tree branches or other debris.

FirstEnergy customers also can subscribe to email and text message alert notifications to receive billing reminders, weather alerts in advance of major storms, and updates on scheduled or extended power outages. 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 online at www.firstenergycorp.com/connect.

FirstEnergy is 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 Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate more than 24,500 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.