>PSE&G fall storm update: Oct. 31, 2011 at 9 a.m.
PSE&G has restored power to 70 percent of the half million customers impacted by the storm.
The number of customers without power is about 145,000 at this time, with crews continuing to work around the clock to restore service.
The company expects to have 95 percent of its customers restored by midnight Wednesday.
Counties most affected include Bergen (66,000), Essex (46,500) and Passaic (10,900) due to the extensive amount of tree and power damage.
PSE&G has 150 crews and 212 tree crews working around the clock to restore power. In addition to its own crews, the utility has arranged for 60 crews from utilities in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi, to assist in the restoration effort as well as 100 contractor crews.
HALLOWEEN SAFETY:
THERE ARE MANY DOWNED WIRES IN PARTS OF OUR SERVICE TERRITORY. IF PARENTS PERMIT CHILDREN TO TRICK OR TREAT TODAY, THEY SHOULD EXERCISE EXTREME CAUTION, SUPERVISE THE CHILDREN, AND ALLOW THEM TO BE OUT ONLY DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS.
Downed wires should always be considered “live.” STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES. Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything with which it might be in contact. To report a downed wire or other visible equipment damage, call 1-800-436-PSEG (7734). Provide the street as well as the nearest cross street.
Check on the safety of your elderly neighbors. See if they are safe and if they need extra blankets or other help. Contact local officials if assistance is needed.
Caution: Do not try to use a gas oven or range to heat a room. The appliance will deplete oxygen from the air, causing asphyxiation or deadly carbon monoxide poisoning.
Also be cautious when using space heaters. Read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions and heed warning labels. Be sure all members of the household understand how to operate space heaters safely.
To report a power outage, call PSE&G’s Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSE (7734).
— Electric 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.
