PSE&G: Most Power to Be Restored by Wednesday

More than 470,000 PSE&G customers have had their power restored from yesterday’s hurricane. About 200,000 PSE&G customers are without power at this time statewide. Crews are working to dry flooded substations so they can put circuits from those stations back on line, and flood waters are preventing crews from entering a number of other areas. Customers, particularly in flooded areas, should be prepared for lengthy outages until flood waters recede and crews can enter. The company expects the majority of customers will be restored within 48 hours, with total restoration of all customers expected within four to six days.

PSE&G has 6,000 employees supporting the restoration effort, including 840 PSE&G linemen, 270 out of state linemen, an additional 50 crews that have joined the effort from Ohio, and 540 tree contractors. The crews are working around the clock. 

FLOODED BASEMENTS

Flooded basements can pose a genuine safety risk. Customers should be cautious:

• If they lose electricity and their basement is flooded, notify PSE&G (1-800-436-PSEG (7734) and call their municipality. Stay away from the breaker box if it's in a flooded basement. And don’t go into a flooded basement if energized wires are present.
• If water is rising to the height of any gas appliance, the gas supply to the appliance should be turned off. If customers are unable to do so, they should contact PSE&G or their local police or fire department for assistance. To restore gas service to appliances call PSE&G (1-800-436-7734) and have the appliances checked for safety and restored to proper operation.
• Customers should call PSE&G (1-800-436-PSEG (7734) immediately if they smell gas.

GENERATORS

Customers who use portable electric generators should carefully read and follow the manual that came with it. Be sure your generator is UL-approved, installed by a licensed electrician and inspected by your local electrical inspector. There must be a way to physically disconnect your generator from utility lines. Customers who improperly install, operate or maintain a generator are responsible for any injury or damage suffered by themselves, their neighbors or utility workers.

To report a power outage, call PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 800-436-PSEG (7734).

Crews work to restore power to the largest numbers of customers first, taking into account “priority” customers, such as hospitals, police stations, fire stations, water and sewer facilities, communications facilities (TV, radio, and telephone), and customers on life-sustaining medical equipment.  At the same time, the utility restores power to homes and businesses, starting with the circuits serving the largest number of customers.

Customers with a handheld device, or who are at an alternate location with power, can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account at pseg.com. General outage activity throughout our service territory is available online at www.pseg.com/outagecenter and updates are posted on pseg.com during severe weather.

We have activated our Twitter page to keep the public informed about our restoration progress. Sign up as a follower at http://twitter.com/psegoutageinfo.