{"id":36211,"date":"2020-12-14T14:59:40","date_gmt":"2020-12-14T19:59:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=36211"},"modified":"2020-12-14T14:59:47","modified_gmt":"2020-12-14T19:59:47","slug":"with-1st-major-snowstorm-of-season-bearing-down-puc-offers-tips-to-be-prepared","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/?p=36211","title":{"rendered":"With 1st major snowstorm of season bearing down, PUC offers tips to be prepared"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Winter-Storm-Safety-infographic-2020-Full.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignright size-medium wp-image-13035\" src=\"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Winter-Storm-Safety-infographic-2020-Full-177x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"177\" height=\"300\" \/><\/a>Based on the forecast and Winter Storm Watches issued by the National Weather Service, it appears a fairly major snowstorm is likely to hit Chester County on Wednesday afternoon into Thursday. The impact of the storm is expected to be felt harder in the northern portions of the county, with snow estimates in the 5 to 9 inches range at this point.<\/p>\n<p>With the temperature expected to hover around the freezing point, it is also possible there will be less snow, especially in the southern portion of the county, which could mean a combination of ice and rain instead. Either way, it is likely there will be some serious disruptions \u2013 including power outages \u2013 because of the storm. As a result, the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission is offering suggestions on how to be prepared for this week&#8217;s weather:<\/p>\n<p>First, the PUC cautions residents to give utility crews ample room to perform their repair work \u2013 for your protection as well as theirs \u2013 and to use extra care when traveling, watching for utility crews working along streets and roads and slowing down in work areas.<!--more--><\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe combination of snow, ice, high winds and falling temperatures has the potential to disrupt utility service,\u201d said PUC Chairman Gladys Brown Dutrieuille. \u201cTime spent on planning and preparing before a storm can go a long way toward keeping yourself and your family safe when severe weather hits.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Storm Preparation Tips:<\/p>\n<p>The PUC encourages residents to consider the following tips before a storm strikes your community:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Know Your Utility Hotlines &#8211; Write down, print or save toll-free outage hotlines for your <a href=\"https:\/\/u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net\/ls\/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9n47-2FMs5nf1ZGCfK-2FOt8zjXnDtWlcUSPmEGqL7qPaLZWdag3xLHBMTOH5ptz341-2Bpq6zsc9Rzf6p1zgFdLjGt3H6RTLc1-2FUSiKqlO3fDlbz4X6d-_mdytbyizDIdVO1JQUbUtCdqlyH-2BJbozCn6jC8ZxgCMXyOrUEgyrdOngqlLIuqyYB3o-2FNidNq3zAwWRkFjravVUgqXx6YtDQU-2BHpPbAr-2F5T84swelfdTKy9T6XosqDUHf2jZyicRI6EJZ2aeulKApNHorUPh94te9WdSRNOtvZt3KIVvjfcOIFPZMi0uAP4gu8N03ncjMwY-2BCPnm5ktOrSox-2FiA3-2FRiCi21NBFOftF4-2F2TZKLbozrKc5tjzgHNj5iqsMYPSr9FjcxcbIIutn8mr2NNvTlWDh5-2B8XvLJ32h-2BvnA6fqBVPZ6HWKQkySOtyZ8gECQXDVXyUSqhrVnGzOfigrAuw-2FzN8xu3UQOq-2BFLWc-3D\">electric utility<\/a> and\/or your <a href=\"https:\/\/u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net\/ls\/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9n47-2FMs5nf1ZGCfK-2FOt8zjWqyb447-2FW03pt5vAFlygTd-2F6NLtm9I50UzYeppmiWYe2Tut76biUApreRwj9HL5GsjGluy-2BXQN1LyK38RmjNaXqgzh_mdytbyizDIdVO1JQUbUtCdqlyH-2BJbozCn6jC8ZxgCMXyOrUEgyrdOngqlLIuqyYB3o-2FNidNq3zAwWRkFjravVUgqXx6YtDQU-2BHpPbAr-2F5T84swelfdTKy9T6XosqDUHf2jZyicRI6EJZ2aeulKApNHorUPh94te9WdSRNOtvZt3KIVvjfcOIFPZMi0uAP4gu8N03ncjMwY-2BCPnm5ktOrSshjEowhQE9Ineq9wLE8noe0WZ5WPcJysuQ4RFrJCUVeJpv2lBfCdZFKkimH3jBq0Vh6EDIAl057jFuVdGM3m5DKhOnGa6qe-2BaSgTr-2B5WXsmyV9Ebl89j7H9yf7XSfaSD9M9YYOc4YbwPyaFmZ209EQ-3D\">natural gas utility<\/a>, which are listed on your monthly bills and posted on the PUC website.<\/li>\n<li>Save Utility Website Address &#8211; Your utility\u2019s outage reporting system can provide updates on repair and restoration efforts. Bookmark these <a href=\"https:\/\/u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net\/ls\/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9n47-2FMs5nf1ZGCfK-2FOt8zjXnDtWlcUSPmEGqL7qPaLZWdag3xLHBMTOH5ptz341-2Bpq6zsc9Rzf6p1zgFdLjGt3H6RTLc1-2FUSiKqlO3fDlbz4YZB6_mdytbyizDIdVO1JQUbUtCdqlyH-2BJbozCn6jC8ZxgCMXyOrUEgyrdOngqlLIuqyYB3o-2FNidNq3zAwWRkFjravVUgqXx6YtDQU-2BHpPbAr-2F5T84swelfdTKy9T6XosqDUHf2jZyicRI6EJZ2aeulKApNHorUPh94te9WdSRNOtvZt3KIVvjfcOIFPZMi0uAP4gu8N03ncjMwY-2BCPnm5ktOrSoShfH-2BWakxa0ldHeL-2B0Mp3q40X-2By-2BLlyGJIzJR93aAcqids4-2BJ-2B5pU5e2TrHrM6WNV3J8aAbuQORbQ3vQmWg3RmAQztgxuIMQYPWPn0LMDDO-2B-2Bg57i6gqhYrK-2Fw3xI2PIRbrN4bKgOCqThOeQk12BE-3D\">electric utility outage sites<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net\/ls\/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9n47-2FMs5nf1ZGCfK-2FOt8zjWqyb447-2FW03pt5vAFlygTd-2F6NLtm9I50UzYeppmiWYe2Tut76biUApreRwj9HL5GsjGluy-2BXQN1LyK38RmjNaXoPxO_mdytbyizDIdVO1JQUbUtCdqlyH-2BJbozCn6jC8ZxgCMXyOrUEgyrdOngqlLIuqyYB3o-2FNidNq3zAwWRkFjravVUgqXx6YtDQU-2BHpPbAr-2F5T84swelfdTKy9T6XosqDUHf2jZyicRI6EJZ2aeulKApNHorUPh94te9WdSRNOtvZt3KIVvjfcOIFPZMi0uAP4gu8N03ncjMwY-2BCPnm5ktOrSjzskXuBC2sTOCb-2FFbBctJAs-2F71Eo0Dc1I33wYrTJTnLRHhbNJgnf-2F5DbnvWf-2FpD1ijbi1mvU2LjxpZgEYu6ltwX1wEKpuAhvsHzK2wxoKKL1J4Uat6cq6wKYytlvWli3ZaxUOFi4cij36jEJYwSf10-3D\">natural gas company websites<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Keep Your Cell Phone Charged \u2013 A well-charged phone will keep you in contact with your utility, other emergency services and family members during any power outage.<\/li>\n<li>Secure Supplies \u2013 Keep necessary food, medicine and other supplies on-hand, including batteries for flashlights.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Power Outage Tips<\/p>\n<p>Should you lose power during a storm, keep the following points in mind:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Call Your <a href=\"https:\/\/u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net\/ls\/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9n47-2FMs5nf1ZGCfK-2FOt8zjXnDtWlcUSPmEGqL7qPaLZWdag3xLHBMTOH5ptz341-2Bpq6zsc9Rzf6p1zgFdLjGt3H6RTLc1-2FUSiKqlO3fDlbz4ja_O_mdytbyizDIdVO1JQUbUtCdqlyH-2BJbozCn6jC8ZxgCMXyOrUEgyrdOngqlLIuqyYB3o-2FNidNq3zAwWRkFjravVUgqXx6YtDQU-2BHpPbAr-2F5T84swelfdTKy9T6XosqDUHf2jZyicRI6EJZ2aeulKApNHorUPh94te9WdSRNOtvZt3KIVvjfcOIFPZMi0uAP4gu8N03ncjMwY-2BCPnm5ktOrSk17IF-2FWraKkJOr1ciQWBguCiDb93a7GBHnp9obJ5KXqRqKx5wqr-2BMXA7-2FDIV0-2FOOKnBiXNt1Vco7fJRhbZRZJzHUOARsmwi5nf5LIkMW5TduaLSFMIEMi87ROcar8WZsy06BNHvuuKltPhnhFSGxOg-3D\">Utility Hotline<\/a> to Report Outages &#8211; Do not assume that the utility already knows about your outage or that others have already called.<\/li>\n<li>Keep Clear of Wires &#8211; Do NOT touch or approach any fallen lines.<\/li>\n<li>Stay Away from Objects or Puddles in contact with downed power lines.<\/li>\n<li>Do NOT Try to Remove Trees or Limbs from power lines.<\/li>\n<li>Pre-Charge Cellular Phones or keep a portable cell phone charger on hand.\u00a0 Plan to use a corded phone, cordless phones won\u2019t work without electricity.<\/li>\n<li>Do NOT Call 9-1-1 to Report Power Outages \u2013 report those to your utility. Calling 9-1-1 to report non-emergency issues like service outages can take resources away from other emergencies. SPECIAL NOTE: If you see a downed power line, immediately call your electric utility and\/or 9-1-1.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Safety While Waiting for Power to be Restored<\/p>\n<p>Households should consider the following tips to help stay safe until power is restored:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Use Flashlights or Battery-Operated Lanterns for emergency lighting. Do not use candles or other potential fire hazards.<\/li>\n<li>Turn Off Lights and Electrical Appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer. When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary &#8220;surges&#8221; or &#8220;spikes&#8221; that can damage equipment.<\/li>\n<li>Leave One Light On &#8211; After you turn the lights off, turn one lamp on so you will know when power is restored. Wait at least 15 minutes after power is restored before turning on other appliances.<\/li>\n<li>Use Generators Safely &#8211; If you use a generator, do NOT run it inside a home or garage or anywhere close to a window or vent. Also, connect the equipment you want to operate directly to the outlets on the generator, not your home&#8217;s electrical system, which could shock or injure utility crews working on nearby power lines. <a href=\"https:\/\/u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net\/ls\/click?upn=TeZUXWpUv-2B6TCY38pVLo9gT6QASWNvjIIj1KpBxsqEyhJ9XXuJYBiskVAUeYTNNL38duXl-2FTe8Fxjl-2Fmo5XE3Gh5bdcC5t4D0rHvIvtjflM-3D6-Bn_mdytbyizDIdVO1JQUbUtCdqlyH-2BJbozCn6jC8ZxgCMXyOrUEgyrdOngqlLIuqyYB3o-2FNidNq3zAwWRkFjravVUgqXx6YtDQU-2BHpPbAr-2F5T84swelfdTKy9T6XosqDUHf2jZyicRI6EJZ2aeulKApNHorUPh94te9WdSRNOtvZt3KIVvjfcOIFPZMi0uAP4gu8N03ncjMwY-2BCPnm5ktOrSm0vg-2BrLSmn8FPzFWJA2NA-2Bcqu3hw7uaEnLEiLTCZycJvvKchSD6Yk-2BPg2RjN3OiGmyoF3c8E8YavyQpk0T-2BHuhhJJcG-2B9FQHh8iBohPfgmyy33ut2vPxYuA-2Bl3x2JG0Rk8mhhRj80gqYvwQUNJUdBg-3D\">Additional generator tips are available here<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>Check on Elderly Neighbors and those with special needs who might need additional assistance.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Natural Gas Safety Tips<\/p>\n<p>Consumers using natural gas appliances can also be impacted by storms:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Check Gas Appliances &#8211; Electric power outages can affect home appliances that operate on natural gas. If they do not function properly when power is restored, call a professional for service.<\/li>\n<li>Evacuate if You Smell Natural Gas &#8211; Get everyone out of the building immediately.<\/li>\n<li>Leave the Door Open and Do NOT Use Phones; do NOT switch lights or appliances on or off; and do NOT take any other action while inside the building.<\/li>\n<li>Call 9-1-1 from a safe location &#8211; After you are safely outside, call 9-1-1 from your cell phone or neighbor\u2019s home.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>During storm emergencies, the PUC continuously monitors utility issues and works closely with the Governor\u2019s Office and the other state agencies involved in Pennsylvania\u2019s coordinated storm response. Across the state, there is extensive behind-the-scenes work when storms are forecast, focused on quickly addressing problems and restoring service as rapidly as possible. Utilities are putting their severe weather plans into motion; crews and equipment are being positioned for quick response to outages; and communication with emergency management coordinators is enhanced.<\/p>\n<p>The Commission also highlighted <a href=\"https:\/\/u7061146.ct.sendgrid.net\/ls\/click?upn=4tNED-2FM8iDZJQyQ53jATUWgRE384tHgp8wdcDkAUwQ9ar1rnaNfcpWRN6yvmfUGMOTIaJrx-2BYCt3rDu8KbPh7tIj3dQcQLfRdbM-2FQHp8dLs-3DtDH4_mdytbyizDIdVO1JQUbUtCdqlyH-2BJbozCn6jC8ZxgCMXyOrUEgyrdOngqlLIuqyYB3o-2FNidNq3zAwWRkFjravVUgqXx6YtDQU-2BHpPbAr-2F5T84swelfdTKy9T6XosqDUHf2jZyicRI6EJZ2aeulKApNHorUPh94te9WdSRNOtvZt3KIVvjfcOIFPZMi0uAP4gu8N03ncjMwY-2BCPnm5ktOrSh49WldwmEcIsn7az7nW93BfvZW3ZNE-2FY37zyxq6FOvpJSJh5RvjVGOhX4ZFgJTTcUwJTH48-2Fc7ED8b8VycVR0xs48rbUS6-2F-2BQcE1FyLmBKnzQNipBi2n564LPcI-2FAnAcgww8AMSxoDnpJVIGttYSso-3D\">a short video highlighting storm outage heating safety tips<\/a>, available on the PUC YouTube channel.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Based on the forecast and Winter Storm Watches issued by the National Weather Service, it appears a fairly major snowstorm is likely to hit Chester County on Wednesday afternoon into Thursday. The impact of the storm is expected to be felt harder in the northern portions of the county, with snow estimates in the 5 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36213,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[6518,12584,12583,542,12582],"class_list":["post-36211","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-featured","tag-outages","tag-pennsylvania-utilities-commission","tag-tips","tag-winter-storm"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36211","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36211"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36211\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":36212,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36211\/revisions\/36212"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/36213"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36211"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36211"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/kennetttimes.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36211"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}