FirstEnergy Utilities Prepare for Hurricane Irene

MORRISTOWN, N.J., Aug. 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- As Hurricane Irene gathers strength off the East Coast, FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utilities Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), Metropolitan Edison (Met-Ed) and Potomac Edison are mobilizing employees and resources to help aid the restoration process should the storm impact customers' electric service.

Company meteorologists continue to monitor Hurricane Irene's progress and are providing targeted forecasts regarding its potential impact on the JCP&L, Met-Ed and Potomac Edison service areas.  Other steps include:

• Preparing to mobilize employees and resources from throughout the company's 10 utilities to assist in storm restoration activities
• Securing additional tree crews
• Arranging for the activation of staging areas for crews and equipment
• Communicating with emergency management officials, state officials and regulators

"When it comes to providing outstanding customer service, particularly in an emergency situation such as Hurricane Irene, preparation is the key," said Charles E. Jones, president, FirstEnergy Utilities. "With 10 utilities in a five-state service area, we can provide additional linemen, vehicles and supplies to help speed the restoration process and help minimize the impact to our customers."

In a large-scale weather event, FirstEnergy urges all customers to follow the advice and recommendations of emergency management officials.  The company also offers the following tips for what to do if the lights go out:

Reporting an Outage

• If your lights go out, contact your local electric utility to report an outage.  The best way to do this for JCP&L and Met-Ed customers is to call the automated reporting line at 1-888-LIGHTSS  (1-888-544-4877).  Customers also may call 1-800-545-7738 to report an outage.  Potomac Edison customers should call 1-800-255-3443.
• Report downed wires immediately to your electric company or local police or fire department.  Never go near a downed power line, even if you think it's no longer carrying electricity.
• Don't try to remove trees or tree limbs from power lines.  Wait for utility crews to arrive.

Safety Tips During Outages

• Keep flashlights with fresh batteries in your home.  Avoid using candles to light your home, especially around children and pets.
• Never use a gas stove or lantern that is intended for outdoor use inside your home.
• Make sure you have fresh batteries in a portable radio so you can stay tuned to your local radio station for updates on our progress to restore power.  

Other Tips During Outages

• Avoid opening the refrigerator or freezer.  A full freezer can keep food frozen for up to three days if it's kept closed.  
• Disconnect major appliances until after the power has been restored.  This includes appliances that run automatically, such as heating systems and water heaters, and those that may have been running when the power went off, such as ovens, ranges and clothes dryers.  By disconnecting these appliances, you avoid damage that could occur during efforts to restore service.  Keep one light turned on so you will know when the power is back on.

Customer Generators

• Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service.  However, to ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of utility company employees who may be working on power lines in the area, the proper generator should be selected and installed by a qualified electrician.  When operating a generator, always disconnect the power coming into your home.  Otherwise, power from your generator could be sent back onto the utility company lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.

JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in 13 New Jersey counties, Met-Ed serves 560,000 customers in 13 Pennsylvania counties, and Potomac Edison serves approximately 250,000 customers in seven Maryland counties and 135,000 customers in the Eastern Panhandle of West Virginia.

FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its ten electric distribution companies comprise the nation's largest investor-owned electric system.  Its diverse generating fleet features non-emitting nuclear, scrubbed baseload coal, natural gas, and pumped-storage hydro and other renewables, and has a total generating capacity of approximately 23,000 megawatts.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.