FirstEnergy Electric Companies Prepared for East Coast Storm

Company personnel ready to respond to outages caused by high winds and heavy rains

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 10, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As a powerful nor'easter heads toward the East Coast this weekend, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) electric companies are gearing up to respond quickly to any outages that may occur. Crews are on alert for outages caused by the high winds and heavy rains forecast to hit New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Maryland beginning Sunday.

Strong Winds, Heavy Rains, Coastal Flooding

FirstEnergy meteorologists have been monitoring the developing system for several days. In New Jersey, wind gusts could reach over 65 mph along the coast and 45-55 mph elsewhere, with heavy rain and coastal flooding likely. Far eastern Pennsylvania and central and eastern Maryland could see gusty winds up to 45 mph. These severe conditions may lead to power outages for Jersey Central Power and Light (JCP&L) and Met-Ed customers.

FirstEnergy Storm Preparations

FirstEnergy is ramping up staffing, mobilizing crews and securing additional contractor and mutual assistance resources ahead of the nor'easter. Approximately 1,500 extra personnel are being deployed to central New Jersey before the storm arrives, where weather is expected to hit the hardest. Ongoing coordination with local agencies and officials will also help ensure a quicker response after the storm hits.

Restoring Power After Storms

Major storms can cause significant damage. Storm clean up and power restoration is a labor-intensive and time–consuming process. Depending on the extent of the damage, this work may take several days.

When the power goes out, FirstEnergy works quickly and safely to restore service, beginning with clearing hazards like downed power lines, fallen trees and blocked roads. Once it's safe, personnel assess the damage so crews can begin making repairs, starting with work that addresses the largest numbers of customers and critical facilities like hospitals. Sometimes, repairs take longer if your house or street needs specific attention due to fallen trees or damaged wires, as crews must visit each individual location to complete repairs.

Making Safety a Priority

FirstEnergy puts safety first for crews and customers during rough weather. Crews will keep their buckets grounded when winds exceed 40 mph, focusing on repairs that can be managed from the ground. Saturated soil and flooding pose significant risks to the safety of crews, who must navigate dangerous conditions while working to repair equipment.

Keep safety a personal priority with these tips:

• Stay at least 30 feet from downed wires and anything they may be touching; report to 911 immediately.
• Keep out of floodwater, which can conduct electricity and hide hazards and debris.
• Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns over candles to reduce fire risks.
• Never use grills or gas stoves for heat indoors to avoid carbon monoxide buildup.
• Operate generators outside, away from windows. View generator safety information.
• Power up for the storm by charging all devices and keeping a car charger ready.
• Be ready with essentials including flashlights, a portable radio, extra batteries and ready-to-eat foods.
• Secure your water supply if you use a well pump with bottled water or a filled bathtub.

How to Report an Outage

If you lose power during the storm, report your outage by:

• Calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)
• Texting OUT to LIGHTS (544487)
• Clicking the "Outages" link on firstenergycorp.com

Get Outage Updates

• Text REG to 544487 to sign up for outage text alerts. Once signed up, text STAT to 544487 to get the latest update for your home.
• Log into your online account
• View our outage map at firstenergycorp.com/outages.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 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.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.