WASHINGTON, D.C. – Pepco is monitoring forecasts that call for high winds to sweep into the region this afternoon. The National Weather Service has issued a wind advisory for the Washington Metro Area that predicts wind gusts of more than 40 miles per hour this evening and up to 50 miles per hour later tonight. High winds can bring tree limbs into contact with power lines causing power outages. The winds can also adversely affect trees in saturated soil and trees weakened by previous storms causing them to fall onto power lines and equipment producing power outages. In anticipation of the high winds, Pepco has scheduled additional line personnel, tree trimming crews, and Call Center personnel. Pepco will continue to monitor the weather and customer outage activity and adjust its resource plans accordingly through Saturday. For the safety of the overhead line personnel, if sustained winds reach 40 miles per hour all aerial work – work that requires raising a bucket/arm boom will cease.
PLEASE CALL TO REPORT OUTAGES AND ASK FOR CALL BACK Customers are urged to report outages and downed wires by calling, 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662) and follow the prompts. Customers may also report outages by visiting pepco.com. Customers’ reports are extremely vital to Pepco’s restoration efforts. Combined with other customer calls and Pepco’s technology, it helps the company identify the precise location of outages more quickly. Pepco also recommends that when reporting an outage, customers request a call back to confirm their power has been restored.
Pepco urges its customers to prepare for potential power outages and act to ensure their safety. Here are some tips: • Have adequate prescription medicines and/or infant supplies on hand. • If a customer or someone the customer knows uses life-support equipment that requires electricity to operate, identify a location with emergency power capabilities and make plans to go there during a prolonged outage. • Assemble an emergency “storm kit.” Include a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, special needs items, an insulated cooler, and a list of important and emergency phone numbers. • Keep at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods and bottled water and have a hand-operated can opener available. • Have a telephone with a cord or cell phone to use as a backup. Cordless telephones require electricity to operate, and will not work if there is an outage. • Protect electronic equipment. Unplug sensitive electronics or plug computers and other sensitive equipment into surge suppressors, and consider a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for temporary battery backup power. • Turn off power to flood-prone basement appliances, if it is safe to do so. However, if the customer has an electrically operated sump pump, the customer should not turn off the power. Safety Tips • Stay away from downed wires. • Tune to local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information. • Follow the advice of local emergency management officials. • Take cover if necessary. For more information and updates, visit www.pepco.com and follow Pepco at www.twitter.com/PepcoConnect.
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