JCP&L Power Restoration Update
/PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L), a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE), continues an around-the-clock restoration effort to restore power to customers following severe thunderstorms and damaging winds that swept across New Jersey Friday evening.
We understand how difficult power outages can be, especially during a period of extreme heat. Restoring service safely and as quickly as possible remains our top priority. Since the overnight peak, crews have already restored power to tens of thousands of customers and continue making progress across the hardest-hit areas.
The storm produced wind gusts of up to 67 mph and caused significant tree and equipment damage. More than 200,000 customers experienced outages as a result of the storm, with the impacts across our central and northern New Jersey service areas. By this morning, outages had been reduced from overnight peaks to approximately 150,000 customers.
As temperatures rose earlier this week, JCP&L proactively positioned additional crews and resources across the service area in anticipation of increased operational demands. When Friday's storms developed, those preparations were expanded significantly with additional line workers, forestry crews and support personnel mobilized from across the FirstEnergy system and contractor partners.
Today, more than 1,700 personnel are supporting restoration efforts, including more than 800 line workers and 500 forestry professionals clearing trees and repairing damaged electrical equipment. An additional 2,500 personnel from FirstEnergy utilities and contractor partners are continuing to arrive through the weekend, allowing restoration work to continue around the clock.
Crews are assessing damage, repairing broken poles and wires, clearing fallen trees and restoring service as safely and quickly as possible as conditions allow in what is expected to be a multi-day effort. Estimated restoration times (ETRs) will be provided as damage assessments are completed and repair plans are finalized. Customers can view outage updates and ETR information at firstenergycorp.com/outages or through their online account.
JCP&L is coordinating closely with local officials, emergency management agencies and community leaders throughout the restoration effort.
Customers who are without power can report outages by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), texting OUT to 544487 or visiting firstenergycorp.com/outages.
Media Contact:
Chris Hoenig
609-350-8599
choenig@firstenergycorp.com
SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
