Public Service Electric and Gas Co. (PSE&G), New Jersey’s largest utility, is making preparations for the forecast weather that could bring rain and strong winds to the company’s service territory through Friday. 

“PSE&G will have extra crews and storm support personnel on duty throughout the storm event to address any weather-related outages,” said Jack Bridges, PSE&G’s vice president for Electric Operations. “We are continuously trimming trees away from power lines to help prevent outages during storms. We want to remind our customers to stay away from downed power lines.”

PSE&G will continue to monitor the weather and will adjust plans as necessary based on updated forecasts, Bridges said. The utility also will have additional service technicians working to respond to “no heat” calls as a result of malfunctioning heating systems.

In anticipation of the storm, PSE&G is taking the following steps to ensure the utility is ready to respond to any resulting power outages:

  • Arranging for contractors, such as tree crews, to assist the utility’s own skilled workforce.
  • Ensuring that additional supplies, including poles, transformers and other pole-top equipment, are on hand.
  • Refueling all vehicles. 
  • Testing generators at utility locations.
  • Coordinating with county and municipal emergency management personnel to discuss outages and expedite restoration efforts.

Customers should be cautious and stay alert to their surroundings during and after storms. As this is the first major weather event of the winter season, here are a few tips for preparing for the storm and how to stay connected with PSE&G should you experience an outage: 

What you can do now:

Stay connected with PSE&G:

  • Compile a list of emergency phone numbers; include PSE&G Customer Service at 800-436-PSEG.
  • Go to pseg.com/myaccount to sign up to report outages online and to check restoration progress.
  • Go to pseg.com/outagecenter to check the Outage Map, which is updated every 15 minutes with PSE&G outage information, and to register for MyAlerts to receive text message notifications.
  • You can report an outage by texting OUT to 47734.
  • “Like” PSEG on Facebook and follow PSE&G on Twitter @PSEGdelivers.

Stay away from downed wires:

  • Downed wires should always be considered live. Stay at least 30 feet away from downed wires. Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything it might be in contact with. If a wire falls on or near your car, stay inside the car, call 911 and do not get out until PSE&G de-energizes the line. If you MUST get out of the vehicle because it is on fire, jump as far as possible away from the vehicle, with both feet landing on the ground at the same time, and hop or shuffle away.

Other important safety notes:

  • To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run any gasoline-powered generators in a garage or other enclosed space.
  • If you use life-sustaining medical equipment, ensure that you have alerted PSE&G in advance and notify your local police and fire departments. For more information, visit www.pseg.com/life.

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR