Stay informed during extreme weather

Stay informed during extreme weather

Staying informed during emergencies helps you make the best decisions for your family and keep everyone safe.

We’ve made it simple to stay connected and access the information you need when severe weather is in the forecast. Here are some reliable ways to stay updated during storms and outages:

Report or check outage status

If your power goes out, report it by texting “Outage” to TXTPPL (898775), visiting pplelectric.com/outage, or calling 1-800-342-5775.

Stay connected

Set your alert preferences at pplelectric.com/alerts to receive real-time updates on your power status. Choose text, email, phone call, or a mix of all three. You can update your settings anytime to fit your needs.

Monitor our interactive outage map

Check our Outage Map to see current outages, affected areas and estimated restoration times in your community.

Connect with us on social media

Follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook and Instagram for the latest outage updates, safety tips and news. Social media can also help you connect with neighbors and your community during widespread outages.

Keep your devices charged

Smartphones and tablets are lifelines during emergencies. Fully charge your devices before storms and consider a portable charger for backup power.

Power tip: Turn on battery-saver mode and lower your screen brightness to stretch your battery life.

Have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio

Radios can provide reliable updates when cellular networks are down. Tune in to local stations for weather alerts and emergency instructions. Don’t forget to keep extra batteries in your emergency kit.

Create an emergency contact list

Keep an updated list of important numbers, including utilities, emergency services, medical providers and family contacts. Store a printed copy in a waterproof container in your emergency kit and keep another copy in your car.

Enable weather alerts on your phone

Most smartphones can receive Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEA) for severe weather, flooding and other local emergencies. Make sure these alerts are turned on in your settings so you never miss critical information.

Be prepared, stay connected, stay safe

By following these steps, you’ll be ready to stay informed and connected during unexpected outages. A little preparation now can make a big difference when extreme weather strikes.

Get prepared, stay prepared

Get prepared, stay prepared

As we enter September, a month dedicated to preparedness, it’s a good time to review how we can best protect ourselves, our loved ones and our community from unexpected emergencies. National Preparedness Month is a reminder that disasters can strike at any time, and being ready can make all the difference.

While we do many things throughout the year to stay prepared for storms and emergencies, we encourage you to do the same.

As your Partners in Power, we’re committed to working together to keep you safe and connected – no matter the weather. Here’s how you can get ready, stay connected and stay safe — before, during and after a storm:

Get prepared:

  • Create an emergency plan and discuss what your family would do in different scenarios, such as a power outage, severe weather or other disasters. Identify a meeting place, ensure everyone knows how to contact each other and practice your plan regularly.
  • Prepare an emergency kit with food, water, medication, flashlights and pet supplies.
  • Charge your phones and devices.
  • Make alternate plans if you have a medical condition that requires electricity.
  • Purchase power strips with lightning arresters or surge protectors for your appliances and electronics.
  • Consider installing lightning rods on your property.
  • Review your insurance coverage to make sure it reflects your family’s needs in the event of storm damage.

Stay connected:

  • Sign up for local emergency alerts and monitor weather forecasts.
  • Report power outages online at pplelectric.com or text “Outage” to TXTPPL (898775).
  • Sign up for alerts to stay connected and receive outage updates at pplelectric.com/alerts.
  • Check the status of an outage and estimated restoration times at pplelectric.com/outage.
  • Follow us on social media for the latest storm and restoration updates.

Stay safe during and after storms:

  • Stay away from utility poles and metal conductors.
  • If you encounter a downed wire at any time, assume it’s energized and stay away. Report it immediately to PPL Electric.
  • Avoid using appliances or electronics plugged into outlets, since electric and plumbing equipment may carry lightning current.
  • If using a portable generator during a power outage, never operate it in an enclosed area, like a garage, where deadly carbon monoxide fumes could accumulate.
  • Use flashlights instead of candles to prevent fires.
  • If you lose power, turn off any appliances that were on when the power went out.
  • For your safety and ours, please keep a safe distance from our crews.

How we prepare

At PPL Electric Utilities, we work year-round to strengthen and modernize our grid so it’s ready when storms strike.

We monitor the health of the system through helicopter and drone inspections, and we use sensors and infrared technology to identify needed upgrades and repairs.

We’ve also developed industry-leading smart grid technology that reduces the number of customers affected by outages and automatically reroutes power around trouble spots. Since 2015, more than 3 million outages have been avoided thanks to our smart grid technology. And because trees are the leading cause of outages during storms, we trim and manage vegetation along thousands of miles of power lines each year.

Other reliability improvements include:

  • Upgrading power lines and poles with stronger, storm-resistant materials.
  • Adding more automated sensors for faster fault detection and restoration.
  • Deploying predictive sensors to identify issues before outages occur.
  • Installing avian guards and lightning protection along transmission lines.

Storm preparation and response

We monitor weather forecasts daily and plan days ahead when severe weather is expected. As storms approach, we activate storm teams with extra personnel in the field, control centers and customer service. Crews may move to 16-hour shifts for around-the-clock coverage. We dispatch resources across our 29-county service territory to respond as safely and quickly as possible.

When storms cause outages, we follow an established restoration process. Critical facilities like hospitals are restored first. Then we repair lines that bring power back to the largest number of customers, followed by smaller neighborhoods, individual homes and businesses.

Make it a safe summer at the pool

Make it a safe summer at the pool

Eliminating electrical hazards around swimming pools and outdoor hot tubs helps ensure everyone stays safe while enjoying their time in the water this summer.

Here are some pool and spa safety tips provided by the Electrical Safety Foundation, a leading authority on electrical safety issues for consumers, workers and the media.

  • Keep all outdoor receptacles covered so they remain dry.
  • Use a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI) for electrical devices used outside to help prevent electrocutions and electric shock injuries.
  • Make sure all electrical equipment used for swimming pools (even the cleaning equipment) is grounded.
  • Keep electrical devices and cords at least 10 feet away from water sources.
  • Never handle electrical devices when you are wet.
  • Make sure there are no power lines over a swimming pool.
  • Do not swim during thunderstorms.
  • Have a licensed electrician inspect your pool to make sure electrical components are up to code and safe.
Stay informed during extreme weather

Stay informed during extreme weather

We’ve made it easy for you to stay connected and access the information you need during an emergency. Here are some reliable ways to stay updated when sever weather is in the forecast: 

  1. Report an outage

If your power goes out, report the outage by texting “Outage” to TXTPPL (898775), by visiting pplelectric.com/outage or by calling us at 1-800-342-5775. 

  1. Stay connected

Customize your alert preferences at pplelectric.com/alerts to receive real-time updates on your power status. Choose to receive notifications via text, email, phone or any combination of the three so you’re always informed. You can adjust your settings anytime to match your communication preferences. 

  1. Monitor our interactive outage map

Want to see what’s happening in your area? Visit our Outage Map to view current outages, affected areas and get estimated restoration times.  

  1. Connect with us on social media

Stay connected and following us on social media for the latest news, safety tips andinformation.s and outage news. Follow us on X (Twitter), Facebook and Instagram to receive real-time updates and connect with our customer service team. Social media also helps you stay connected with your community during widespread outages. 

  1. Keep your devices charged

Smartphones and tablets are essential lifelines during emergencies. Ensure your devices are fully charged before anticipated storms and consider investing in a power bank or portable charger as backup. This ensures you can stay connected to receive alerts and communicate with loved ones. 

Power tip: Enable battery-saving mode and reduce screen brightness to extend your device’s battery life during outages. 

  1. Have a battery-powered or hand-crank radio

A battery-powered or hand-crank radio provides reliable access to information, especially when cellular networks are congested or unavailable. Tune in to local news stations for weather updates, emergency instructions and restoration timelines. Remember to keep extra batteries in your emergency kit. 

  1. Create an emergency contact list

Maintain an updated list of important phone numbers, including utilities, emergency services, medical providers and family contacts. Keep physical copies in multiple locations where you can easily access them during an outage. 

Safety hint: Store this information in a waterproof container in your emergency kit, and also keep a copy in your vehicle. 

Be prepared, stay connected, stay safe 

By implementing these strategies, you can remain informed and connected during unexpected power outages. Remember that preparation is key to navigating emergencies safely and confidently. 

A summer storm is coming. We’re ready to respond.

A summer storm is coming. We’re ready to respond.

A round of severe weather is expected to move across our territory this afternoon into the evening hours. The storm is expected to produce wind gusts of 50-plus mph in addition to lightning and rain.

We have been monitoring this storm closely over the past few days and are ready to respond. Even with the best preparation, storms and severe weather can cause damage and result in outages. We’ve activated our storm response plans, which include:

  • Activating storm teams with additional personnel in the field, control centers and customer service centers across our 29-county territory.
  • Implementing 16-hour shifts for around-the-clock coverage.
  • Bringing in additional crews from outside the company to assist in restoration efforts.

We encourage you to also prepare for the storm. We offer the following safety tips and reminders:

  • If you encounter a downed wire at any time, assume it’s energized and stay away. If you see one, report it immediately to PPL Electric.
  • Just in case you lose power, it’s good to have an emergency kit on hand with food, water, medication and any pet supplies you may need.
  • We encourage customers who have medical conditions requiring electricity to make arrangements in case of an emergency.
  • Make sure to keep phones and other mobile devices charged.
  • Remember that candles can start fires. If you lose power, use flashlights instead. If you use a generator to supply power during an outage, be sure to operate it outdoors.
  • For your safety and ours, please keep a safe distance from our crews.

To report or check the status of an outage, visit pplelectric.com/outage.