[WardFive] Information from Marc Battle re: Pepco's Preparations for Rainstorm and Hurricane Joaquin

SHARING

 

Commissioner Ursula Higgins
Chairperson, ANC 5B
Single Member District 5B02
Telephone: 202-321-5289
Email:  5b02@anc.dc.gov

 

Pepco Preparing for Rainstorm and Hurricane Joaquin
Customers Need to Prepare for Potential Outages, Heavy Rain, Localized Flooding
 

        WASHINGTON, D.C. — Pepco is preparing for possible outages with forecasts calling for heavy rain beginning this evening and continuing through Sunday night, possibly producing localized flooding. Early forecasts also show that Hurricane Joaquin could generate additional heavy rain with sustained winds over 40 mph Sunday evening or early Monday in our area.
Pepco is continuing to monitor the weather forecasts and will have crews prepared to restore potential outages. We have about 150 internal linemen, 250 contractors and more than 200 tree crews already working on our system available to respond. Pepco has requested additional mutual assistance crews.
Pepco Call Centers are staffed and prepared, and we are coordinating with emergency managers.
With the combination of rain and wind, power outages are expected. High winds can bring tree limbs into contact with power lines causing interruptions.  Heavy rain can saturate soil and weaken tree root systems. Particularly with full foliage, trees then are more vulnerable in high winds and can be uprooted and fall onto power lines and equipment, causing power outages. Outages can also occur due to drivers skidding into utility poles along wet, slippery roads.
We will work around the clock to restore any outages. Safety is our No. 1 priority. We urge our customers to stay clear of working crews and any wires hanging loose from poles or lying on the ground. Customers should always assume that downed wires are energized and avoid them.
            Customers are asked to immediately report any downed wire by calling 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662). We also ask customers to let us know if they lose power. They can report outages by calling 1-877-PEPCO62 (1-877-737-2662), visiting pepco.com or through our mobile app, available for download at pepco.com/mobile app.        
        Customers should also check their emergency supply kits and be prepared in case they do lose power. Emergency kits should 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.
Identify a safe alternate location in case of an extended outage. Tune to local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information.
        Customers can find additional tips on preparing for a storm on our website, pepco.com.

 

Linda Bunch | Administrative Assistant

Pepco | Government Affairs
701 Ninth Street N.W. | Washington, DC 20068
o: 202-872-2547 | f: 202-872-2482
ldbunch@pepco.com | pepco.com

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