FirstEnergy Utilities Monitoring Weather Conditions
Prepared to Respond Should Heavy Snow Affect Parts of Company's Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey Service Areas
AKRON, Ohio, Feb. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) utilities in Maryland, West Virginia, eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey are monitoring developing weather conditions and preparing for the possible impact of up to a foot of snow in some areas over the next several days.
Current weather forecasts indicate that heavy snow could affect parts of western Maryland served by Potomac Edison, areas of West Virginia served by Potomac Edison and Mon Power, and areas of eastern Pennsylvania served by Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed). Lesser accumulations also are forecast for parts of New Jersey served by Jersey Central Power & Light.
All of FirstEnergy's 10 electric utilities are reviewing storm response plans and staffing requirements should additional line, substation and forestry personnel be needed, based on the severity of the weather.
"Our company meteorologists are monitoring the weather conditions closely and we will deploy additional resources, if needed, to FirstEnergy areas in western Maryland, West Virginia and eastern Pennsylvania that could be most impacted by the heavy snow," said Steven E. Strah, vice president, Distribution Support, FirstEnergy. "Our storm pre-planning, combined with the infrastructure enhancement projects we continue to do throughout the FirstEnergy service area, is designed to reduce the number of outages our customers could experience due to the weather or speed the restoration process if an outages does occur."
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. In the event of severe weather, 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.
FirstEnergy customers also can utilize a new free smartphone app to report outages and access important information and services related to their electric accounts. The app is available for Apple® iPhone® and Android™ smartphones. Customers can use the keyword "FirstEnergy" to locate the apps in the online store.
In addition, customers can use FirstEnergy's text messaging service to report outages and receive updates on reported outages. Text REG to 544487 (LIGHTS) to get started.
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.
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 Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. Follow FirstEnergy and its operating companies on Twitter: @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.
SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
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