|
GPU
Energy 2800 Pottsville Pike Post Office Box 16001 Reading, PA
19640-0001
Tel 610-929-3601 |
Date:
Further
Information:
For
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Number:
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March
4, 2001
GPU Energy Media Pager 1-888-989-4783
Immediately
20-01
|
GPU ENERGY
CONTINUES OVERNIGHT PREPARATION FOR WINTER STORM
Editor's
Note: GPU Energy customers who are without electric service are urged
to call the GPU Energy 24-Hour Emergency Line at 1-800-545-7738 to
report power outages.
READING
- GPU Energy continues to institute emergency steps to prepare for
the impending winter storm. By daybreak, four "mobile offices"
will be set up and staffed. These offices have emergency telephone
lines and satellite telephone links. Employees staffing the mobile
offices will dispatch crews and serve as liaisons to restoration headquarters
in Reading, Pennsylvania and Morristown, New Jersey.
The company has also loaded four emergency "storm trailers"
with materials used in restoration efforts. These storm trailers will
be set up in the Northern New Jersey service area and in Northeastern
Pennsylvania.
All available GPU Energy crews will be dispatched to affected areas,
as needed. In addition, approximately 70 crews from Ohio are en route
to GPU Energy service areas in Pennsylvania and New Jersey to assist
with restoration efforts. GPU Energy is also beginning to move contractor
crews from western Pennsylvania to New Jersey.
Currently, there are no weather-related outages affecting GPU Energy
customers.
More than 24 inches of snow is expected in many areas across Pennsylvania
and New Jersey. The company's Central New Jersey service area will
experience periods of torrential rain and high winds that may result
in coastal flooding.
Sustained winds of 30-to 50- miles per hour are expected on Monday.
Gusts could reach upwards of 70 miles per hour.
GPU Energy is providing the following cold weather and winter storm
tips for customers who may experience interruptions to their electric
service during the course of the storm:
- Customers
on an electrical life support system should make sure a backup
power source is available and functioning.
- Keep a
gallon of water per person aside for drinking.
- If your
water is supplied by an electric pump, your holding tank or water
heater is your sole water source. These tanks can provide clear
water after initial sediment is flushed out. This water may also
be used to flush toilets.
- Use fireplaces
and portable heaters with extreme care. Keep children away from
all heat sources.
- Keep spare
candles, flashlights and lanterns in a central location.
- Keep refrigerator
and freezer doors closed as much as possible.
- During
the day, open window shades and draperies on the sunny side of
the house.
- Close off
rooms that are not being used.
- Wear several
layers of loose?fitting clothing or wrap yourself in blankets.
Remember to keep your head covered.
- Portable
generators should not be directly connected to your household
electrical system. Instead, plug appliances directly into the
generator. A generator that is not properly installed could cause
power to flow back into GPU Energy lines, endangering customers
or workers repairing those lines.
GPU Energy will
continue to provide updates throughout the winter storm emergency.
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