PSE&G Responds to Flooding in Wake of Hurricane Irene

NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 1, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is establishing as many as 15 mobile response centers in eight New Jersey neighborhoods to assist customers whose gas service was affected by severe flooding resulting from Hurricane Irene.

PSE&G personnel are on site in Manville, Bound Brook, Pompton Lakes, Fairfield, Wallington, Paterson, Little Falls, and Wayne to coordinate customer service and restoration of gas service once the flooding subsides and people are able to re-enter their homes and businesses.  The location of these centers will change as different towns become available for restoration. The company estimates that about 26,600 gas customers have been impacted by flooding.

For safety reasons, gas supplies were proactively taken out of service in some towns due to flooding. Restoration time depends on when water recedes in flooded areas, so that crews can safely enter homes and businesses. Gas restoration is a labor-intensive process, as each restoration is done one home or business at a time and requires an inspection from town officials before service can be restored.  

Reporters or camera crews who wish to visit a mobile center should call 973-430-7734.

To help ensure the safety of our customers and employees in our service territory, the utility is offering the following tips:

Flooded basements:

• If customers lose electricity and their basement is flooded, notify PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG and call your local fire department.
• If water rises to the height of the gas burner on a water heater or gas furnace, customers can shut off the individual supply of gas to the unit if they know how.

Scan for hazards before entering a basement that has been flooded:

• Customers should call PSE&G immediately if they smell gas at 1-800-436-PSEG.
• Use extreme caution; expect floors and stairs to be oily and slippery.
• Don't go into basements with standing water, raw sewage or obvious electric hazards.
• Stay away from the electric circuit breaker panel if it's in a flooded basement.  Don't go into a flooded basement if energized wires are present.
• Stay out of buildings that remain in the floodwaters.
• Inspect foundations for cracks or other damage.

Flood-impacted PSE&G customers have important responsibilities in the process of restoring electric and gas service

Gas service cannot be restored until the following occurs:

1. Safe access to your home and appliances must be provided.
2. Flooded areas of the home/building must be free of standing water.
3. Gas-fired equipment must be accessible and at least one appliance must be ready to turn-on.
4. Obtain municipality inspections, if required.  Satisfy municipal requirements.
5. Electric service MUST be restored before your gas service can be restored.
6. Once the above requirements are met, contact PSE&G at 800-436-PSEG (7734) to have the gas service restored.

Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G) is New Jersey's oldest and largest regulated gas and electric delivery utility, serving nearly three-quarters of the state's population.  PSE&G is the winner of the ReliabilityOne Award for superior electric system reliability.  PSE&G is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (PSEG) (NYSE: PEG), a diversified energy company (www.pseg.com).

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SOURCE Public Service Electric and Gas Company (PSE&G)