February 26, 2019

FirstEnergy Utilities (FEU) has restored service to more than 658,900 customers who lost power due to a potent wind storm that continues to sweep through our service territory.

Sustained winds of nearly 40 mph, coupled with gusts exceeding 60 mph, began battering Ohio, West Virginia, Maryland and western Pennsylvania early Sunday morning.  Eastern parts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey are receiving the brunt of the winds on Monday.

Since the storm began, repairs have been made at hundreds of locations, and crews are working to assess damage and restore service to approximately 202,700 customers who remain without power in Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey.  Approximately 1,300 additional contractor line workers, as well as hazard responders, are being deployed to assist Ohio Edison, Penn Power, The Illuminating Company (CEI), West Penn Power, Potomac Edison, Mon Power and Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) personnel with restoration efforts.  The company also is requesting additional line workers through its memberships in utility mutual assistance organizations.

“As the wind storm crossed our service territory, we’ve seen thousands of instances of downed wires, broken poles and crossarms, and damaged transformers caused by trees and other debris contacting our electrical equipment,” said Sam Belcher, senior vice president and FEU president. “Though repair work can be slowed by the continued high winds and numerous road closures, we will continue to work around the clock to safely make repairs and deploy resources as needed until power to all customers has been restored.”

As of Monday at 1:30 p.m., here are operating company updates:

• Toledo Edison: Approximately 17,000 customers in western Ohio lost power due to the storm, and 250 customers remain without service.  The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11 p.m. Monday.
• CEI: Approximately 123,500 customers in northeast Ohio lost power due to the storm, and 15,700 customers remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 1 p.m. Wednesday.
• Ohio Edison: Approximately 156,400 customers in northern and central Ohio lost power due to the storm, and 15,900 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 4 p.m. Thursday.
• Penn Power: Approximately 27,700 customers in western Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 5,500 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 4 p.m. Thursday.
• Penelec: Approximately 114,900 customers in northern and central Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 11,700 remain without service.  The majority of customers are expected to be restored by midnight Wednesday.
• West Penn Power: Approximately 128,300 customers in western Pennsylvania lost power due to the storm, and 55,700 remain without service.  Estimated restoration times will be established as damage assessment progresses.
• Mon Power: Approximately 88,400 customers in West Virginia lost power due to the storm, and 24,200 remain without service.  The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11 p.m. Thursday.
• Potomac Edison: Approximately 56,700 customers in Maryland and West Virginia lost power due to the storm, and 18,600 remain without service. The majority of customers are expected to be restored by 11 p.m. Friday.
• Met-Ed: Approximately 38,500 customers in eastern Pennsylvania have lost power due to the storm, and 9,900 remain without service.  Additional outages could occur on Monday as the winds move through the area. Based on current outages, the majority of customers are expected to be restored by 4 p.m. Tuesday.
• JCP&L: Approximately 110,200 customers in northern and central New Jersey have lost power due to the storm, and 42,700 remain without service.  Additional outages could occur Monday as the winds move through the area.  Estimated restoration times will be established as damage assessment progresses.

For updated information on current outages, visit FirstEnergy’s 24/7 Power Center at www.firstenergycorp.com/outages.