JCP&L Prepares for Hurricane Season and Offers Customers Storm Tips

Hurricane season is now officially upon us, running from June 1 to Nov. 30. With the National Weather Service predicting near-normal hurricane activity, New Jersey residents and visitors will once again be keeping an eye on the tropics this summer.

So will Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L).

Past weather events like Hurricane Sandy have helped JCP&L enhance both its electric system and storm response procedures to ensure the company is ready when severe weather hits. Recent infrastructure enhancements, including installation of flood walls at vulnerable substations, smart grid technology on power lines, and enhancements to storm-related communications, are part of JCP&L’s efforts to help keep lights on and customers better informed should a tropical system impact the Garden State this summer.

When severe weather is in the forecast, JCP&L also ensures its call centers are fully staffed and line workers, contractors and forestry specialists are mobilized to respond to the hardest hit areas. 

JCP&L crews prioritize their restoration efforts in response to widespread outages. Hazards, such as downed wires, are the immediate priority and are isolated and made safe. Generally, transmission and substation facilities are repaired next since they supply power to the lines serving communities, neighborhoods and individual customers. Then, priority is given to hospitals and other critical medical facilities, communications facilities, and emergency response agencies. 

Crews then work to restore power as quickly as possible to the rest of JCP&L’s customers, typically addressing outages that restore the largest number of customers before moving to more isolated problems. 

For more information about JCP&L’s storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit the 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.

Are you prepared if a storm hits?

By taking key steps now, you can be ready in the event of a power outage:

• Light. Keep a flashlight and extra batteries handy. Use care when burning candles; open flames are a dangerous fire hazard.

• Water. If you have a water well and pump, keep an emergency supply of bottled water.

• Food. If your home has an electric range, stock an emergency supply of convenience foods that do not require cooking.

• News and information. Keep your mobile devices charged ahead of severe weather and have a car charger handy in case you lose power within your home. You can:

• View current outages on the company’s 24/7 Power Center outage maps on a smartphone

• Follow us on social media for updates during significant storms

• Get updates on outages you reported via text message or email

• Means of communication. While a cell phone will work as long as its battery is charged and the nearest cell tower has power or backup power, many cordless land-line telephones require a plug-in power source to operate. You may want to keep a plain, hard-wired telephone handy to report your power outage (888-544-4877) or to call for help in an emergency. These phones operate on power delivered through the phone line.

If you do lose power, report it as quickly as possible. Customer-reported outages help JCP&L pinpoint the damage location so crews can begin making repairs faster.

There are several ways to report an outage:

• Online at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages 

• If you have signed up for JCP&L’s text messaging system, text OUT to 544487 (if you have not yet enrolled, text REG to 544487 to get started today); and

• Call 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877)

With this information in mind, you and your loved ones can be prepared for whatever Mother Nature has in store this summer. Have a safe and enjoyable summer!