Atlantic City Electric Ready to Deal With Outages

Atlantic City Electric is prepared to work around the clock to restore power lost during the winter storm, the electric company said Monday morning.

“Heavy, wet snow can weigh down tree limbs and bring them into contact with power lines causing power outages,” the company said. “Wet snow can also adversely affect saturated soil and allow trees already weakened by previous storms to fall onto power lines and equipment to cause power outages. Outages can also occur due to drivers skidding into utility poles along icy and snow-covered roads.”

The electric company is in contact with emergency management officials.

Customers are asked to call in any outages and stay away from any downed wires.

To report outages and downed wires, call 1-800-833-7476. Follow the prompts and ask for a call back to confirm that power has been restored.

Outages also may be reported through www.atlanticcityelectric.com or through our mobile app, available for download at www.atlanticcityelectric.com/mobileapp.

Preparedness tips for Atlantic City Electric customers:

· Assemble an emergency storm kit. Include a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, special needs items, an insulated cooler and a list of important and emergency phone numbers.

· Keep at least a three-day supply of nonperishable foods and bottled water and have a hand-operated can opener available.

· Have adequate prescription medicines or infant supplies on hand.

· Make sure you have a telephone with a cord or cell phone to use as a backup. Cordless telephones require electricity to operate and won’t work if there is an outage.

· Identify a safe alternate location in case of an extended outage.

· Tune to local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information.

· Follow the advice of local emergency management officials.

General Safety Tips:
· Protect electronic equipment. Unplug sensitive electronics or plug computers and other sensitive equipment into surge suppressors and consider an uninterruptible power supply for temporary battery backup power.

· If a portable generator is needed, follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use only when necessary. Don’t overload it and turn it off at night while asleep and when away from home.
· Turn off power to flood-prone basement appliances if it is safe to do so. However, if using an electrically operated sump pump, the customer should not turn off the power.

· Follow local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information.