Winter Storm Could Bring Outages to N.J.

As the winter snow storm predictions intensify, utility companies are preparing to keep customers out of the dark.

“At this point we are watching the weather closely and preparing for the approaching storm,” said PSE&G spokeswoman Brooke Houston. “Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.”

PSE&G is “scheduling extra crews, fueling trucks and putting extra equipment on standby.”Although the snow total predictions continue to rise, Houston said PSE&G has other concerns.

“Snow in itself is not usually a problem, but icing on lines and trees can increase downed wires,” Houston said. “They are forecasting gusty winds mixed with ice and that’s not a good thing.”

Houston is also asking PSE&G employees and customers to prepare now for the storm.

“We are telling our employees to take time now to make sure their family is prepared with food and water, get gas for their cars and generators, test their generators so that if we get hitthey have to be out,” Houston said.

Urging customers to do the same Houston suggests they prepare an emergency kit with water, food, check flash lights, have extra batteries on hand, get a first aid kit, get a manual can opener and charge cell phones and other electronic devices.

If the power does go out customers can text to report the outage to 4PSEG (7734), which will reply with updates. Customers can also log onto their account online or call 800-436-PSEG(7734).

“If a customer sees a downed wire they should day away, they are considered very dangerous and should be considered live,” Houston said.

Lastly, customers can check out the PSEG outage map online that shows each municipality with the number of customers. It shows how many people are out and when their power is restored. The page is updated every 15 minutes.

JCP&L also has an outage map (click here), as does Atlantic Electric (click here).

Tony Hurley, vice president of operations for Jersey City Power & Light Co, which serves 1.1 million customers in 13 counties, told nj.com that the company is already making plans to deploy trucks and personnel to the areas expected to get hit the hardest.

“The ultimate goal of our pre-planning efforts is to help speed the restoration process and minimize any inconvenience our customers experience due to the weather,” Hurley told nj.com.

The state’s utilities have been doing far more planning for storm-related outages since Superstorm Sandy hit New Jersey in October 2012, according to the report

Atlantic City Electric also said it is calling in overhead line contractors and tree crews to assist in any storm restoration effort, according to the report.