Crews Working 24/7 to Restore Power to FirstEnergy Customers Following Severe Thunderstorms

Rhea-AI Summary

FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) is working around the clock to restore power to customers affected by severe thunderstorms across northeast Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. The storms caused outages for nearly 578,000 customers, with power restored to over 230,000 so far. More than 4,100 additional line workers and field personnel have been deployed to assist in the restoration efforts.

The storm system brought winds exceeding 75 mph and heavy rainfall, causing widespread damage including broken poles, downed power lines, and fallen trees. Northeast Ohio was the hardest hit area, with over 333,000 outages across five counties. Restoration work is expected to continue over the next few days, particularly in Ohio.

FirstEnergy emphasizes safety, urging customers to stay away from downed lines and report them immediately. The company provides various ways for customers to report outages and receive updates, including a 24/7 Power Center and text message alerts.

Positive

• Rapid response with over 4,100 additional workers deployed for restoration efforts
• Power already restored to more than 230,000 of the 578,000 affected customers
• Efficient communication systems in place for customers to report outages and receive updates

Negative

• Widespread outages affecting nearly 578,000 customers across multiple states
• Extensive damage to infrastructure, including broken poles and downed power lines
• Restoration work expected to continue for several days, particularly in Ohio
• Potential for prolonged power outages in hard-hit areas like northeast Ohio

High winds, heavy rain cause power outages for nearly 578,000 FirstEnergy customers

AKRON, Ohio, Aug. 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Power has been restored to more than 230,000 of the approximately 578,000 FirstEnergy Corp. (NYSE: FE) customers who lost service due to severe storms that swept across northeast Ohio, Pennsylvania and New Jersey on Monday. With help from more than 4,100 additional line workers and field personnel from contractors and mutual assistance organizations, FirstEnergy's electric company personnel will continue to work around the clock in 16-hour shifts to make repairs as quickly and safely as possible.

The powerful storm system brought strong winds exceeding 75 mph in parts of Ohio and western Pennsylvania, along with rainfall exceeding two inches in parts of eastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Northeast Ohio was the hardest hit area, with more than 333,000 out across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties.

The tree- and flood-related damage is widespread, causing hundreds of broken poles and crossarms, downed power lines, and fallen trees and debris blocking road access. Our primary focus at this stage is to remove any hazards and assess the damage so that crews can access the site of an outage and begin to safely make the repairs. Due to the extent of damage, restoration work is expected to continue over the next few days, particularly in Ohio.

Customers should assume all downed or low-hanging power lines are energized and dangerous. Stay at least 30 feet away and use extra caution where downed lines are tangled in trees or other debris. Report downed lines ASAP by calling 911.

All internal line crews, hazard responders, forestry crews, contractors, safety and other support personnel are involved in storm response, and significant additional outside resources have been secured to assist with the restoration effort. Though downed trees, localized flooding and road closures can slow progress, crews will continue to work around the clock to safely make repairs and ensure service to all customers has been restored.

Current outage updates as of 10 a.m. today include:

• The Illuminating Company: Approximately 338,200 customers in northeast Ohio lost power due to the storms, and 306,000 customers remain without service, primarily in the hardest-hit areas of Cuyahoga and Lake counties. Restoration times will be established as soon as possible as damage assessment progresses.
• Ohio Edison: Approximately 97,400 customers in northern and eastern Ohio lost power due to the storm, and 28,500 remain without service. Restoration times will be established as soon as possible as damage assessment progresses.
• Penn Power: Approximately 17,800 customers in western Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 5,200 remain without service. The hardest-hit area was Mercer County. The majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 11 p.m. tomorrow.
• West Penn Power: Approximately 16,200 customers in western Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and approximately 1,500 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 11 p.m. tonight.
• Penelec: Approximately 12,600 customers in northern and central Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and about 245 remain without service. The remaining customers are expected to have power restored by 6 p.m. tonight.
• Met-Ed: Approximately 15,200 customers in eastern Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 3,500 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 11 p.m. tonight.
• JCP&L: Approximately 44,700 customers in New Jersey lost power due to the storm, and about 3,800 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to have power restored by 11 p.m. tonight.

How to Report Power Outages and Downed Lines

Customers who have experienced a service interruption due to the storm are encouraged to report their outage if they have not already done so by calling 1-888-LIGHTSS (1-888-544-4877), texting OUT to LIGHTS (544487) or clicking the "Outages" link on firstenergycorp.com.

FirstEnergy customers can sign up to receive email and text message alert notifications for updates after they've reported a power outage. Customers can also use two-way text messaging to report outages, request updates on restoration efforts and make other inquiries about their electric accounts. More information about these communication tools is available at firstenergycorp.com/connect.

For updated information on the company's current outages, the company's storm restoration process and tips for staying safe, visit FirstEnergy's 24/7 Power Center at firstenergycorp.com/outages. To learn more about navigating the recently updated map, please visit bit.ly/FEoutagemapupdates.

Operate Backup Generators Safely

Emergency power generators offer an option for customers needing or wanting uninterrupted service. To ensure the safety of the home's occupants as well as that of electric 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 power lines, creating a hazardous situation for company workers. Locate the generator outside of your home and far away from windows, doors and vents. Never locate a generator inside your home.

View additional generator safety information.

FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. The company's transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Visit FirstEnergy online at firstenergycorp.com and follow FirstEnergy and its operating companies on X, formerly known as Twitter, @FirstEnergyCorp, @ToledoEdison, @IlluminatingCo, @OhioEdison, @MonPowerWV, @JCP_L, @Penn_Power, @Penelec, @Met_Ed, @PotomacEdison, @W_Penn_Power.

 

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.

FAQ

How many FirstEnergy (FE) customers were affected by the recent severe thunderstorms?

Nearly 578,000 FirstEnergy (FE) customers lost power due to the severe thunderstorms that swept across northeast Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey on August 7, 2024.

What areas were most affected by the power outages from the FirstEnergy (FE) storm?

Northeast Ohio was the hardest hit area, with over 333,000 outages across Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, and Lorain counties.

How long is the power restoration expected to take for FirstEnergy (FE) customers?

Restoration work is expected to continue over the next few days, particularly in Ohio, due to the extent of the damage caused by the severe thunderstorms.

How many additional workers has FirstEnergy (FE) deployed for storm restoration?

FirstEnergy (FE) has deployed more than 4,100 additional line workers and field personnel from contractors and mutual assistance organizations to assist in the power restoration efforts.