About 27,000 Pennsylvania Power & Light Co. customers remained without electricity at 11 a.m. Sunday (8/17) after a series of thunderstorms Saturday night caused damage to transformers and power lines.
At the height of the storms Saturday night (8/16), about 75,000 customers were without electric service, said Ray Stoudt, PP&L's system emergency director. The utility's Northeast, Susquehanna and Lehigh regions had the most damage.
"Because the damage was widespread and extensive, it is taking time to restore service," Stoudt noted. "All of our available crews are working around the clock."
PP&L has transferred crews from its Lancaster and Harrisburg regions, which were not hit as hard by the storms, to the Scranton, Honesdale, Williamsport, Bloomsburg, Wilkes-Barre and Pocono areas where the damage is extensive. In addition, the company has hired crews from electrical contractors and will receive assistance from Syracuse, N.Y.- based Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. through a mutual aid agreement. High winds, causing trees to fall onto power lines and other electrical facilities, and lightning strikes created most of the damage, Stoudt said.
PP&L expects electric service to be restored to most customers late Monday (8/18). In remote areas, some customers could be without power until late Tuesday (8/19).
PP&L offers these tips during power interruptions.
Downed power lines
First and most important, stay away from any power line that has fallen. Call 1-800-DIAL-PPL (1-800-342-5775) and let a professional take care of the situation. In the meantime, let others in the area know of the danger.
A downed line may not look energized, but it may be. Also, stay away from telephone and cable TV lines, since they may be in contact with high-voltage electric lines.
A downed line may not look energized, but it may be. Also, stay away from telephone and cable TV lines, since they may be in contact with high-voltage electric lines.
If a power line should fall onto a car with someone inside, the person should remain in the car. That way, both the person and the car are energized at the same level.
If the person absolutely must get out of the car because of fire or another emergency, he or she must jump clear of the car with both feet together. If one foot is in the energized car while the other is in contact with the ground, the body will act as a conductor of electricity and the person could be injured or killed.
Protecting Perishable Foods
When electricity is lost, keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed to trap the cold air inside. Frozen foods will remain frozen for 48 hours, as long as the door remains shut. The more food that’s in the freezer, the better.
Large, bulky items like meats stay frozen longer than small, thin items like fish, pizza and vegetables. High-sugar foods like ice cream and baked goods defrost quickly.
Dry ice is another alternative for keeping foods cold, but be sure to use gloves when handling it. Make sure the storage area is well ventilated and don’t inhale the dry ice fumes.