Are you prepared for storm season?

Are you prepared for storm season?

As summer approaches, so does the start of the summer storm season.

We want you to know we’re prepared to continue delivering safe and reliable service in all kinds of weather.

One way we keep the lights on during storms is through the investments we’ve made in our Smart Grid. If an outage occurs, our self-healing grid can sense the problem and automatically reroute power to restore as many customers as possible, almost instantly. This technology — along with replacing older equipment, upgrading to storm-resistant poles and wires and using data to proactively trim trees before they fall on wires — helps us reduce outages and respond quicker if an outage occurs.

We’ve also made it easier than ever to stay informed. You can customize your outage alerts to receive a phone call, text message or email with updates on repair crew status and estimated restoration times if you lose power. You can customize those alerts and also sign up for billing and payment alerts on our Alert Preferences page.

Even with the best preparation and information, storms and severe weather can cause damage and result in outages. We keep our outage map updated with real-time information on outage causes and estimated restoration times. If your power goes out, you can help us by reporting your outage in a few simple steps on our Outages and Issues page.

No matter what Mother Nature throws our way, we’ll be ready. And, our crews will be there to work as safely and quickly as possible to restore power if needed.

Ready to Roll: It’s Storm Season and We’re Prepared To Respond

Ready to Roll: It’s Storm Season and We’re Prepared To Respond

September is recognized annually as National Preparedness Month—an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of preparing for disasters and emergencies.

What’s more, for the third year in a row, the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an above-average hurricane season in the Atlantic.

Pennsylvania doesn’t have a coastline, but we can still be impacted by hurricanes, tropical storms and other bouts of severe weather. We want you to know that when mother nature lashes out, we’re ready to respond to power outages as safely and quickly as possible, around the clock, to get the lights back on.

Not only are we prepared to respond to outages, we’ve taken steps to help avoid them altogether, despite the weather.

The investments we’ve made in our electric grid have made it more reliable than ever, even during extreme weather. Sensors on our smart grid identify outages quickly and can automatically reroute power to get as many customers back up and running as possible, often in seconds. In fact, since 2015, our advanced grid has helped prevent more than 1.4 million customer outages.

Like we always say: The best outage is an outage that never happens in the first place.

Smart grid devices are just one part of our investments to continuously improve the reliability of your electric service. Other work includes new power lines and substations; stronger, more storm-resistant poles; and trimming more trees. Find out more about the ways we’re strengthening the electric delivery system to meet your expectations for safe, reliable service at pplelectric.com/reliability.

Be prepared. Stay informed.

Have you managed your alerts recently? We’ve made it easier than ever for you to stay informed during severe weather with our automated alerts. You can receive information regarding outages, repair crew status and estimated restoration times, all via text message, phone or email. Pick your preferences at pplelectric.com/alerts. And remember that you can report or check on an outage at pplelectric.com/outage.

Plus, we use social media to provide storm updates and share tips on how to stay safe before, during and after storms. Follow us @PPLElectric for all the latest news and updates.

Be Prepared for Storm Season

Be Prepared for Storm Season

No matter what kind of weather passes through our region, we’ll be prepared.

Here’s how you can stay safe and prepare for all types of storms:

  • Regularly check local news, radio, or your mobile device for information about storm watches or warnings in your area.
  • Keep supplies in an emergency preparedness kit. Include water bottles, non-perishable food, blankets, first-aid supplies, flashlights, and a battery-powered radio.
  • Make sure your yard is free of heavy debris that could be tossed around in the wind. Trim trees to prevent limbs from falling on your house.

Tornadoes

Tornadoes are capable of destroying homes, uprooting trees, and hurling objects through the air.

  • Choose a safe area in your home where you and your family can gather if a tornado warning is issued. This area should be in the basement or a room with no windows and on the lowest level of your home.
  • Conduct routine tornado drills with the entire family so everyone knows where to go and what to do if a tornado is approaching.
  • Watch for signs of a tornado: a dark-colored sky, low-lying clouds, large hail, or a loud roar.

Hurricanes

Hurricanes are violent storms that often cause property damage and life-threatening hazards, such as high winds and flooding.

  • Create an evacuation plan and practice it ahead of time to avoid confusion during the event.
  • Close windows, doors, and hurricane shutters.

Thunderstorms

Lightning kills more people every year than tornadoes and hurricanes. Rain and heavy winds can cause flooding, damage to homes, and widespread power outages.

  • If a thunderstorm appears likely, postpone all outdoor activities.
  • If a thunderstorm watch or warning is issued, take shelter in your home or other building.
  • Shutter all windows and close exterior doors securely.

Floods

Flash flooding can be among the most damaging and costly of all natural disasters.

  • If you live in a flood-prone area, keep sandbags, plywood, and plastic sheeting on hand.
  • Seal the walls in your basement with waterproofing compounds to avoid seepage.

Power outages

Although we work hard to maintain reliable electric service, a storm may lead to a power outage. You can report or check the status of an outage at pplelectric.com/outage or by texting “OUTAGE” to TXTPPL (898775).

 

Source: Questline

Reimbursement for ice and water

Reimbursement for ice and water

Customers who have been without power for 24 hours or more as a result of storms can now purchase ice and water from any local vendor and send us the receipts. If you send us your receipts, we’ll credit your account.

Each customer can purchase a maximum of three 10-pound bags of ice and three gallons of water per day.

Additional purchases will not be eligible for an account credit.

Please mail your receipts to:

PPL Electric Utilities

Attn: Ice and Water

827 Hausman Road

Allentown PA 18104

And don’t forget to include your account number.

Storm versus power grid

Storm versus power grid

Hurricanes have had names for 70 years. Now big winter storms get them. Go figure.

In the electric utility business, we’re always watching the weather, so we’re prepared to respond to any resulting power outages. Winter Storm Gail, which swept through our region in mid-December, was no exception. Our crews worked safely and quickly to get the lights back on for affected customers.

The good news is our hard work and investments in a safer, more reliable, and resilient power grid are paying off in increased reliability for you. Outages are down 30 percent since 2011. And storms, whether named Gail or otherwise, don’t cause as many service problems today compared to even a decade ago.

Here’s why. We’ve replaced older equipment, put up stronger poles and wires, and have a state-of-the-art smart grid in place to automatically detect outages and instantly reroute power to shrink outage footprints and keep the lights on for more customers. Smart grid alone has prevented more than 1 million PPL customer outages since 2015.

Couple that with using data analytics for smarter, more efficient equipment maintenance and a comprehensive tree trimming and clearing program, and you have one of the most reliable grids around.

Among our electric utility peers, we’re a national leader in reliability. That’s a good thing, but we don’t stop trying to improve your service. You rightfully expect that from us.

You can be sure we’ll continue to innovate, looking for ways to make a very reliable grid even better. No matter what Mother Nature throws our way, you can bet the power grid delivering electricity to your home or business – and the people behind it – will serve you well.