Mon Power Winter Storm Update

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Mar 05, 2015, 05:40 ET

FAIRMONT, W.Va., March 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Mon Power, a FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) utility, continues to assess damage and restore electric service to more than 40,000 customers throughout its West Virginia service area after up to a foot of heavy, wet snow fell today, causing trees and limbs to fall, damaging power lines. Currently, crews have restored power to more than 26,000 Mon Power customers since the severe weather hit the region beginning early this morning.

Travel conditions remain difficult in many areas, with roads closed from snow or flooding from Wednesday's heavy rains. This has slowed and in some cases prevented crews from accessing areas with damage to make repairs.

As part of the restoration effort, crews from other FirstEnergy utilities in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Maryland have arrived in West Virginia to assist Mon Power.

Given the extent of the damage, the company expects this to be a multi-day restoration effort in many areas, with the majority of Mon Power's customers expected to have their power restored by midnight Saturday, March 7.

Temperatures are expected to drop to near-record lows overnight, which will further complicate the restoration efforts. Mon Power customers without power should check with the Red Cross and local county emergency management agencies for locations of warming shelters, if needed.

Residents can take these steps to stay safe and warm:

Bundle up in a room away from an outside wall using sleeping bags, blankets and warm clothing.
Use a sturdy fireplace screen when using a fireplace or wood-burning stove to prevent a house fire.
Never use a gas stove, charcoal grill or lantern intended for outdoor use inside your home. That could produce a buildup of deadly carbon monoxide gas.
Use battery-operated lanterns and flashlights for illumination rather than burning candles which present a fire hazard.
Never use a portable generator inside the house or a closed garage. Ensure the proper generator is selected and installed by a qualified electrician. While operating a generator, power coming into the home must be disconnected to prevent power from the generator from being sent back on to the utility lines and endangering utility workers.

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

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.

SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.