Jersey Central Power and Light preparing for ice storm to impact Northwest New Jersey

NEW JERSEY – Jersey Central Power and Light is preparing for an ice storm expected to impact Northwest New Jersey Monday night into Tuesday.

The National Weather Service issued an Ice Storm Warning from 6:00 p.m. Monday night to 10:00 a.m. Tuesday morning for Northwest New Jersey. Significant icing expected. Total ice accumulations of two to four tenths of an inch with up to one inch of snow and sleet. For a complete forecast, click here.

“We are monitoring the storm front very closely. All of the Jersey central Power and Light personnel are on standby to respond if the weather is severe,” Jersey Central Power and Light spokesperson Mike Durbin told RNJ.

“We are in the process of having conference calls with our mutual assistance organizations. Because of the widespread nature of this potential storm, most other utilities are holding onto their personnel. We will continue to look for additional Resources. We remind our customers to report any outages they may have,” Durbin told RNJ.

During severe weather, 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 are also encouraged to follow three simple steps to avoid dangerous accidental contact with electrical equipment if storms bring down wires:

• STOP what you’re doing and stay away from electrical equipment.
• LOOK for hazards and call 911 to immediately report downed wires.
• LIVE and prevent serious injury by taking safety precautions, including never going near a downed power line, even if you 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.

FirstEnergy encourages customers to plan ahead for the possibility of electric service interruptions from winter weather by following these tips:

• Keep electronic devices such as cell phones, laptops and tablet computers fully charged to be ready for any emergencies.
• Keep a flashlight, portable radio and extra batteries handy in the event a power interruption occurs.  Tune to a local station for current storm information.
• Never use a portable generator inside the house or a closed garage in the event of a power outage.  Ensure the proper generator is selected and installed by a qualified electrician.  When operating a generator, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected.  Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.
• Gather extra blankets or a sleeping bag for each person.  Do not use gas stoves, kerosene heaters or other open-flame heat sources to prevent deadly carbon monoxide gas from building up in your home.
• If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water and/or fill your bathtub with fresh water.
• Stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.
• Mobile phones can be charged in your vehicle using a car charger when the power is out.  If you have a smart phone, this will ensure you have access to online information sources.

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, the power coming into the home should always be disconnected. Otherwise, power from the generator could be sent back onto the utility lines, creating a hazardous situation for utility workers.