Plans underway as we prepare for another wind and rain event

Plans underway as we prepare for another wind and rain event

Apr 11, 2024 | Storms and Outages

An incoming storm is expected to bring heavy rain and winds across our service territory beginning Thursday evening. The storm has potential to bring 40+ mph winds and up to 1.5 inches of rainfall. The rain is expected to taper off on Friday, but high winds are forecast through Saturday evening.

Our storm response includes:

  • Activating storm teams with additional personnel working in the field, control centers and customer service across our territory.
  • 16-hour shifts staggered for around-the-clock coverage.
  • Bringing in more than 600 lineworkers from outside our company to assist in restoration efforts should they be needed.

As we continue to monitor the forecast and prepare for the storm, we’re offering the following tips and reminders to help customers prepare and stay safe.

Stay Connected:

  • Report power outages online at pplelectric.com or text “Outage” to TXTPPL (898775).
  • Follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter) and Instagram for restoration updates.
  • Check the status of an outage as well as estimated restoration times online at pplelectric.com/outage.
  • Sign up for alerts to stay connected and receive outage updates at pplelectric.com/alerts.

Get Prepared:

  • Make sure mobile devices are fully charged before a storm event.
  • Have an emergency kit with food, water, medication and any pet supplies needed.
  • People who have medical conditions requiring electricity should create a plan in case of an outage or emergency.
  • Check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage period.

Stay Safe:

  • Should you encounter a downed wire at any time, assume it’s energized and stay away. Report downed wires to us or local emergency response agencies.
  • If using a portable generator during a power outage, never operate the generator in an enclosed area, like a garage, where deadly carbon monoxide fumes could accumulate.
  • Remember that candles can start fires. Always use flashlights instead.
  • If you lose power, turn off any appliances that were on when the power went off.
  • For your safety and ours, please keep a safe distance from our crews.

We will continue to update this page as more information becomes available.

Groundhog Day – Let’s talk weather forecasts

Groundhog Day – Let’s talk weather forecasts

Feb 2, 2024 | Reliability

Punxsutawney Phil’s prognostication on Gobbler’s Knob for an early spring might make you sad – or glad – depending on your love of snow and cold weather.

For an electric utility, however, watching the weather isn’t a matter of shadows. It’s a serious, around-the-clock job that helps us keep your service reliable and helps us plan for stormy weather that can cause outages.

We contract with several weather services to keep us informed of current and future weather conditions. From there, we use modeling and our experience to make plans about staffing, materials, and more.

Our service territory covers 10,000 square miles. That’s a larger area than New Jersey. This includes both urban and rural areas, mountains and valleys. Weather can vary widely depending on location and elevation. In the same day, it can be sunny in Lancaster and stormy in the Poconos, and knowing that in advance is a big advantage. That’s why we monitor around the clock, every day of the year.

Forecasting can help us make plans for all kinds of weather. In serious storms, like hurricanes, we can call in mutual assistance from other utilities, if that’s necessary. Expanding our crews helps to get the lights back on quicker.

The bottom line is this: Whether Phil sees his shadow or not, whether an almanac predicts bad or fair weather, we’re ready.