Winter storm: Updates on our response

Winter storm: Updates on our response

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 customers out 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!

Winter storm: Latest updates on our response

Winter storm: Latest updates on our response

Power outage? Text “outage” to “TXTPPL” (898775) or report it here.

Update: 1.10.24, 4:30 p.m.

As of 3:30 Wednesday afternoon, about 8,750 of our 1.5 million customers were without power. Since Tuesday afternoon, 65,000 customers have been restored from the original 73,750 customers without power.

We have brought in additional crews to supplement our efforts. Our crews began working Tuesday morning and will continue to work around the clock to safely and quickly restore power as soon as possible.

Update: 1.10.24, 10:00 a.m.

Storms caused widespread damage and power outages across our service territory Tuesday afternoon into the early morning on Wednesday. As of approximately 7:30 a.m., about 12,600 of our 1.5 million customers were without power.

Our crews began working Tuesday morning and are continuing to safely restore power to customers who are experiencing outages. We are bringing in additional crews to supplement our efforts.

Because of the scope of repairs, full restoration could take until Thursday for some customers, although many customers will get power restored sooner, as crews work around the clock to repair damage.

Continued wind could result in additional outages through this afternoon. We encourage customers to stay safe and report any outages.

Update: 1.9.24, 11:00 a.m.

An incoming storm is expected to bring heavy rain and winds across our service territory from Tuesday morning into Wednesday afternoon. We’re closely monitoring the forecast and are prepared to respond to storm-related power outages.  

Our dedicated team is ready to respond to any issues that may arise, and we are bringing in additional workers to assist in any restoration efforts that may be necessary. We’ll work as safely and quickly as possible to assess damage and restore power to all customers who are impacted.  

We’ll be posting updates on this page throughout the storm. You can adjust alert preferences to receive a phone call, text or email at pplelectric.com/alerts to stay informed during a storm. If you experience an outage, report it by visiting pplelectric.com/outage,texting “Outage” to TXTPPL or call 1-800-342-5775. 

While we’ve prepared for possible outages, we want you to be prepared too: 

  • Charge your cell phones, portable chargers and other electronic devices so they’re ready to use in case of an emergency.    
  • Prepare or update your emergency kit with food, water, medication and pet supplies.   
  • Remember that candles can start fires. If you lose power, use flashlights instead. Now is a good time to check your flashlight batteries.   
  • If you have a portable generator, test it to make sure it’s working, but never operate it in an enclosed area, like a garage, where carbon monoxide fumes could accumulate.    
  • Assume any downed power line is energized. Stay clear by at least 100 feet and keep kids and pets away. If you see a downed power line, report it immediately by calling 1-800-342-5775 (1-800-DIAL-PPL).  

 

Responding to Winter Storm Elliott

Responding to Winter Storm Elliott

Power outage? Text “outage” to “TXTPPL” or report it here.

Update: 12.24.22, 6 p.m.

  • Winter Storm Elliott, which began Thursday afternoon, has caused power outages across our territory.
  • As of approximately 6 p.m., less than 2,000 of our 1.4 million customers were without power.
  • Since the beginning of the storm, our crews have restored power for nearly 102,000 customers.
  • Our crews continue to work to restore each and every customer as safely and quickly as possible. The best way to stay up to date on your specific outage is through PPL Alerts here. You can also check the status of an outage here.
  • We’re expecting very cold temperatures throughout the weekend. Please read the extreme cold safety tips below. Stay safe and be well.

Update: 12.24.22, 12 p.m.

  • Winter Storm Elliott, which began Thursday afternoon, has caused power outages across our territory. If additional outages occur today, we’re prepared to respond.
  • As of approximately noon, about 5,000 of our 1.4 million customers were without power.
  • Since the beginning of the storm, our crews have restored power for nearly 100,000 customers.
  • Our crews — as well as crews from peer utilities — continue to work to restore each and every customer as safely and quickly as possible. The best way to stay up to date on your specific outage is through PPL Alerts at pplelectric.com/alerts. You can also check the status of an outage online at pplelectric.com/outage

Update: 12.23.22, 4 p.m.

  • Winter Storm Elliott, which began Thursday afternoon, has caused power outages, and we’re expecting more outages as the storm evolves.
  • As of approximately 4 p.m., about 32,000 of our 1.4 million customers were without power.
  • Since the beginning of the storm, our crews have restored power for more than 53,000 customers.
  • Our crews — as well as crews from peer utilities — continue to work to restore each and every customer as safely and quickly as possible. The best way to stay up to date on your specific outage is through PPL Alerts at pplelectric.com/alerts. You can also check the status of an outage online at pplelectric.com/outage
  • The temperature is falling and we’re expecting very cold temperatures throughout the weekend. We encourage our customers to stay safe during this time.

Update: 12.23.22, 10:30 a.m.

The forecast is calling for plummeting temperatures as an artic front moves through the area. Please stay safe and be prepared with these tips:

  • Prepare and maintain an emergency kit with food, water, medication and any pet supplies you may need.
  • Open curtains on your south-facing windows during the day to allow sunlight to naturally heat your home and close them at night to reduce the chill you may feel from cold windows.
  • Heat loss is even greater during periods of extreme cold. Cover drafty windows.  Roll up a towel or blanket for the bottom of drafty exterior doors. (When possible, add caulk or weather stripping to seal air leaks around leaky doors and windows.)
  • When you are home and awake, set your thermostat as low as is comfortable. (If you raise the thermostat, your home will use more energy.)
  • Before going to sleep or if you’re out of the house, turn your thermostat back 10° to 15° for eight hours and save around 10% a year on your heating and cooling bills.
  • Keep your fireplace damper closed unless a fire is burning. Keeping the damper open is like keeping a window wide open during the winter; it allows warm air to go right up the chimney.
  • Check the seal on the fireplace flue damper and make it as snug as possible.
  • If you have a power outage, avoid using candles for lighting because they can start fires. Use flashlights instead.
  • If you use a portable generator, never operate it in your home, garage or any enclosed area where deadly carbon monoxide fumes can accumulate.
  • If you rely on medical equipment or have special personal needs, plan what you would do in the event of an extended power outage at your home.

Update: 12.23.22, 9 a.m.

  • Winter Storm Elliott, which began Thursday afternoon, has caused power outages. We’re expecting more outages throughout the day as winds ramp up and temperatures plummet. Our crews — as well as crews from peer utilities — continue to work to restore each and every customer as safely and quickly as possible.
  • As of approximately 9 a.m., about 2,600 of our 1.4 million customers were without power.
  • Since the beginning of the storm, our crews have restored power for more than 20,000 customers.

Update: 12.22.22, 1 p.m.

Winter Storm Elliott has entered our area and is expected to bring rain, wintry precipitation, heavy winds, and plummeting temperatures through Saturday. With a storm of this magnitude, we are expecting power outages. We want you to know that we’re ready to respond.

We have more than 2,000 employees from our own team and peer utilities prepared to support our restoration efforts. We’ll work as safely and quickly as possible to assess damage and restore power to all customers who are impacted.

We’ll be posting updates on this page throughout the storm. If you need to report an outage, check estimated restoration times, or adjust your alert preferences, click here.

While we’ve prepared for possible outages, we want you to be prepared too:

  • Charge your cell phones, portable chargers, and other electronic devices so they’re ready to use in case of an emergency.
  • Prepare or update your emergency kit with food, water, medication, and pet supplies.
  • Double check your flashlights for batteries.
  • If you have a portable generator, test it to make sure it’s working, but don’t operate in an enclosed area, like a garage, where carbon monoxide fumes could accumulate.
  • Assume any downed power line is energized. Stay clear by at least 100 feet and keep kids and pets away. If you see a downed power line, report it immediately by calling 1-800-342-5775.