MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 1, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has restored power to more than 370,000 customers affected by the destruction of Hurricane Sandy. More than 6,400 professionals, including 2,500 linemen and 1,500 forestry workers, are focused on bringing back power to about 830,000 customers. Overall, more than 1 million customers were impacted by the storm.
The majority of customers will be restored by next Wednesday, November 7. Customers in the hardest-hit areas can expect to be restored throughout the following week. A significant number of customers will not be able to receive service until damaged roads, infrastructure and homes are rebuilt.
Crews are working to repair and restore lines that feed electricity to local substations. Aerial patrols of these lines continued today.
Hurricane Sandy caused widespread destruction in the JCP&L service area. More than 450 utility poles have been damaged and more than 12,000 trees have been cut and removed from JCP&L equipment since the hurricane struck New Jersey on Monday.
As debris from the storm is being cleared, customers are cautioned never to touch downed lines. Customers should always assume downed wires are carrying electricity and are reminded to keep children and pets away from them. Downed wires should be reported immediately to your electric company or local police or fire department. Customers should never try to remove trees or limbs from power lines because they could conduct electricity. They should wait for emergency services or utility crews to arrive.
To report an outage, customers should call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877) - it's the fastest way to begin the restoration process. Customers are reminded that even if they do not see crews working in their neighborhood, work could be under way at a nearby substation or other location that serves the neighborhood. The priority for restoration starts with emergency services, including hospitals, police, fire and first aid. Priority is also given to circuits serving the largest number of customers, followed by restoration of service to individual homes.
Customers with mobile devices can obtain updated information on current outages, FirstEnergy's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe. Customers are urged to visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages. Or follow JCP&L on Twitter @JCP_L and Facebook at www.facebook.com/JCPandL for the latest information.
JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in 13 New Jersey counties. JCP&L is a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE). JCP&L serves 1.1 million customers in the counties of Burlington, Essex, Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union and Warren.
FirstEnergy is a diversified energy company dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Maryland, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and West Virginia. Its generation subsidiaries control more than 20,000 megawatts of capacity from a diversified mix of scrubbed coal, non-emitting nuclear, natural gas, hydro, pumped-storage hydro and other renewables. Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.
SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.
