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.
If there’s one thing Meghan Fonda has learned as part of her job at PPL Electric Utilities, it’s to be prepared for the unexpected every day.
It’s practically part of her job description.
As an emergency planning supervisor for the Emergency Preparedness department, Fonda is responsible for helping to keep employees prepared for any emergency or storm that may occur in the utility’s 29-county Pennsylvania service area. She also helps prepare her co-workers for a safe and swift response when power outages occur.
“My job is all about making things better for our 1.5 million customers,” said Fonda, who earned a mechanical engineering degree from Florida State University. “It’s all about being able to restore power in a safe and timely manner when our customers experience outages. Each day, I’m making sure we’re prepared.”
Fonda, in her fifth year at PPL Electric, has a wide range of responsibilities, from making sure employees are familiar with their storm response roles and keeping them up to date on training to maintaining procedures and relationships with companies that provide assistance when PPL Electric needs to supplement its workforce to help restore power when severe storms strike. She also keeps in close contact with emergency management organizations.
Fonda is one of hundreds of employees who have an emergency/storm response role in addition to their normal job. We always have a team of employees on call to respond at a moment’s notice when outages occur. That includes engineers, lineworkers, damage assessors, environmental staff and logistical personnel.
When storms and storm damage are imminent, we activate storm teams with additional personnel in the field, control centers and customer service centers across our 29-county service territory. When we activate these storm and emergency response teams, their priority is to assist with our storm restoration work.
We participate in training exercises each month throughout the year to help ensure our employees are well versed in their emergency response roles. That regular training includes drills that help us stay familiar with what we need to do in cases of storm-caused outages, but also other emergencies, such as wildfires.
We also have staff closely monitoring weather forecasts and consulting with meteorologists to ensure we’re well prepared for any storm activity that may cause damage to our power delivery system.
“I really do like the emergency response aspect,” Fonda said. “It’s rewarding to know that the work we’re doing each day is benefitting our customers in some way. And whatever issue comes our way, we’ll be as prepared as we can be to meet it head on.”
For more about how you can prepare for storms, check out this video. And for more about how we respond to power outages, click here.
Severe storms brought damaging winds and lightning across our entire 29-county service territory late Wednesday afternoon into the evening. We have seen significant damage from downed trees and limbs that caused nearly 1,300 individual damage locations. Since the storm began more than 145,000 customers experienced a power outage.
Our crews continue to work around the clock as safely and quickly as possible to restore all customers. As of 3 p.m. (6/28), we have restored power to more than 137,500 customers and about 7,600 of our 1.5 million customers remain without power.
We have hundreds of personnel responding to the storm, providing both field-based and back-office emergency response operations across our service territory. This includes lineworkers, foresters, damage assessors and call center staff. In preparation for the storm, we brought in more than 600 workers from outside our company to assist in restoration efforts. Due to the extent of the damage, we have obtained additional crews, increasing that number to nearly 1,000. Due to the extent of the damage, this has been a multi-day restoration effort.
We have assigned estimated restoration times (ERTs) for areas in our territory. Because of the scope of repairs, full restoration could extend through Saturday afternoon for some customers, although many customers will have their power restored sooner. As crews are dispatched to specific jobs within a region, customers may receive an updated ERT.
Safety is a core value for us. Remember, should you encounter a downed wire at any time, assume it’s energized and stay away. Report downed wires to PPL Electric or local emergency response agencies.
While we continue to our work, we encourage our customers to remain connected and stay safe with these tips:
Stay connected
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 online at pplelectric.com/outage.
For information on storm safety, outage restoration priorities and more, visit pplelectric.com/outage
Stay safe:
Remember, should you encounter a downed wire at any time, assume it’s energized and stay away. Report downed wires to PPL Electric or local emergency response agencies.
Never operate a portable generator in an enclosed area, like a garage, where deadly carbon-monoxide fumes could accumulate.
Always use flashlights instead of candles as they can start fires.
Turn off appliances that were on when the power went off.
Create alternate plans if you have a medical condition that relies on electricity or call 9-1-1 for assistance.
Check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage period.
For your safety and ours, please keep a safe distance from our crews.
Ice and Water:
Customers who have been without power for 24 hours or more can purchase ice and water from any local vendor at their expense and send us receipts. Once received, we will credit those costs back to the customer’s account. Each customer can purchase a maximum of three 10-pound bags of ice and three gallons of water per day. Customers should mail their receipts and account number to:
PPL Electric Utilities
Attention: Ice and Water
827 Hausman Road
Allentown, Pennsylvania 18104
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.
Power outage? Text “outage” to “TXTPPL” (898775) or report it here.
Tuesday’s winter storm caused extensive damage across our territory, with heavy, wet snow bringing down tree branches and wires and resulting in power outages across our territory. We understand it’s especially difficult to be without electricity during a winter snowstorm.
We’ll continue to post updates on this page to keep you informed on our restoration efforts. You can also adjust your outage alert preferences at pplelectric.com/alerts. If you experience an outage, report it at pplelectric.com/outage or text “Outage” to TXTPPL.
Update: February 15, 2024 (8 a.m.)
Our team worked through the night to continue restoring power to customers who were out as a result of Tuesday’s winter storm.
At 8 a.m., we had 7,285 customers remaining without power, and restored a total of 154,815 since the start of the storm.We anticipate we’ll wrap up these restoration efforts by 11 p.m. today and restore power to all remaining customers.
Warming Centers Available
If you’re without power there may be a warming center open in your area. Please call any of the locations below for more info and hours of operation. Stay safe and take advantage of these warming centers, if needed.
Dauphin County
Hillside Christian Fellowship
807 State Street, Millersburg PA 17061
717 692-0986
Grace United Methodist Church
982 Medical Road, Millersburg, PA 17061
717-692-2838
Hummelstown Fire Co.
249 East Main Street, Hummelstown, PA 17036
717-566-8574
Gratz Community Center
125 S Center Street, Gratz, PA 17048
Contact Borough employees for access
Schuylkill County
Tremont Fire Co.
21 Middlecreek Road, Tremont PA 17981
570-695-3915
Hegins Area Ambulance Building
352 Gap St. Valley View, PA 17983
570-682-3598
West Penn Fire Co.
21 Municipal Road, New Ringgold, PA 17960
570-386-8866
Orwin Fire Co.
323 Dietrich Avenue, Tower City, PA 17980
717-647-9383
Citizen’s Fire Co.
29 Washington Street, Middleport, PA 17953
570-277-0193
Community Fire Co.
2206 E Main St, Sacramento, PA 17968
570-682-3177
Update: February 14, 2024 (5 p.m.)
We’ll be working through the night to restore power to customers out as a result of Tuesday’s winter storm.We’re on track to restore the remaining customers by 11 p.m. Thursday evening.
As of 4 p.m., we have approximately 20,000 customers still without power, and since the start of the storm, have restored more than 132,000 customers.
Update: February 14, 2024 (1 p.m.)
We continue to work on restoring power to customers who lost power during Tuesday’s winter storm.
As of 1 p.m., there were 25,345 customers remaining out of power, with 125,807 customers restored since the start of the storm.
We’re maximizing resources and estimate the majority of customers, even those in the hardest hit areas, will be restored by 11 p.m. Thursday evening.
Update: February 14, 2024 (8 a.m.)
Our team has worked through the night to continue restoring power to customers impacted by Tuesday’s winter storm.
At 8 a.m., there were approximately 30,379 customers without power. Since the start of the storm, we’ve restored power to 120,129 customers and our crews will work around-the-clock until all customers are restored.
Update: February 13, 2024 (8 p.m.)
Our team has worked through the day to restore power to 97,463 customers since the start of the storm. As of 8 p.m., there were approximately 52,639 customersout of power.
Crews and assessors are still uncovering damage, including trees and wires down across the territory. We advise customers to always assume a downed or low-hanging wire is energized and stay away. Please remember to call us to report these issues at 1-800-342-5775.
We’ll continue working through the night to repair damage and restore power.
Update: February 13, 2024 (5 p.m.)
Our team has worked through the day to restore power to 90,460 customers since the start of the storm. As of 5 p.m., there were approximately 56,140 customers out of power.
Crews will continue working overnight to repair damage and restore power.Because of the scope of repairs, full restoration could take through Thursday for some customers, although many customers will get power restored sooner, as crews work around the clock to repair damage.
As crews are dispatched to specific jobs within each region, customers may receive updated ERTs.
Northeast: This region saw the least amount of damage, so all customers impacted should have individual ERTs with restoration times scattered throughout today.
Lehigh: 11 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14
Lancaster: 11 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14
Central/Susquehanna: 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 15
Harrisburg: 11 p.m. on Thursday, February 15
Cold Weather Safety
As temperatures drop this evening, we want our customers to stay safe. This is going to be a multi-day restoration effort for some.
We encourage customers who have medical conditions requiring electricity to make arrangements to relocate, contact 911 or visit a local hospital in case of an emergency.
We prioritize restoring power to critical infrastructure, such as nursing homes, hospitals, schools and municipal utilities to ensure safety for the general public.
Safety is a core value for us. We urge customers to keep safety top of mind when staying warm.
If you’re using a generator, please be sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for operation and take heed of any warnings. This includes making sure you use the proper fuel for the generator and only add fuel when the generator is cool. Make sure to inspect the generator before each use to ensure it’s in good working order. Generators should never be used in an enclosed area or placed inside a home or business. Keep them away from windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to sneak inside. Even though you will be using the generator outside, make sure that your home has battery-operated carbon monoxide detectors that are in good, working condition.
Update: February 13, 2024 (noon)
As of 11 a.m., there were approximately 92,365, out of our nearly 1.5 million customers out of power. Since the start of the storm, we’ve restored approximately 46,500 customers.
Because of the significant damage, we’re expecting this to be a multi-day restoration effort. We’ve called in more than 100 additional resources to supplement our crews. This includes line workers, foresters, damage assessors, electricians and call center staff.
We’re assessing damage and have assigned estimated restoration times for areas in our territory. Because of the scope of repairs, full restoration could take through Thursday for some customers, although many customers will get power restored sooner, as crews work around the clock to repair damage.
As crews are dispatched to specific jobs within each region, customers may receive updated ERTs.
Northeast: This region saw the least amount of damage, so all customers impacted should have individual ERTs with restoration times scattered throughout today.
Lehigh: 11 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14
Lancaster: 11 p.m. on Wednesday, February 14
Central/Susquehanna: 3 p.m. on Thursday, February 15
Harrisburg: 11 p.m. on Thursday, February 15
We’ll continue working around-the-clock until all customers have power restored. Stay safe!
