Storm Restoration Process

To report an outage call 1-800-841-4141
Please do not report emergencies through e-mail.

Check out our Outage Safety Tips .

How To Be Prepared.

When A Storm Hits.

What To Do When The Lights Go Out.

During Colder Weather.

PECO's Power Restoration Process.

Generator Safety.

At PECO, we are committed to keeping your lights on. We are always improving our Storm Restoration Process so that you experience shorter durations of power outages during storms.

Here are some of the things we do to make sure any service interruption you may experience is as short as possible:

• We have installed a new outage reporting system called 21st Century. Our new system allows us to get details about your outage faster so that we can provide you the status of your outage at the time of your call to 1-800-841-4141.
• Before a storm hits, PECO proactively plans the best strategy on how to quickly mobilize crews and gather needed materials to restore power to all affected customers.
• When a storm is approaching, PECO mobilizes its staff, including the many field patrollers, wire watchers, customer service representatives, and overhead and underground employees who are committed to reliability and public safety.

Weather-related outages can be caused by a number of things, including:

• Lightning
• Wind
• Ice
• Extreme Cold
• Extreme Heat
• Flooding/Rain

Outage Safety Tips

Weather can wreck havoc on electric facilities...

• Wind, lightning, heavy rains and flooding and other severe weather conditions can cause damage to utility facilities and disrupt electric service.  PECO is committed to keeping the lights on and being responsive when the lights go out.  When customers lose service, we'll make every effort to get power back on as soon as possible.
• PECO tracks weather forecasts and plans strategy for quickly mobilizing staffing and materials to gear up for a storm response,  which involves handling more customer calls, assessing equipment damage across the region, dispatching crews to make repairs, and many other activities to restore electric service to affected customers as quickly as possible.
• With destructive storms, PECO wants to hear from customers when power is affected.  The more customers who call, the better we can assess the storm's impact and more effectively respond.  While we understand most consumers would prefer to reach a customer service representative, the PECO call center's automated, interactive system allows us to handle thousands of calls at a time, collect customers' outage information faster, group nearby outages together and help operations personnel analyze trouble.
• Storms can cut off power for long periods of time and leave you in the dark.  That's the last place PECO wants you to be.  We have personnel available 24 hours a day, everyday.  We are committed to keeping your lights on and providing you with reliable service.  However, if your lights do go out, you can be sure we will make every effort to get your power back on as soon as possible.  

Back to top

Before a storm hits or an outage occurs, it's good to be prepared...

• Keep PECO's emergency telephone number, 1-800-841-4141, handy with other emergency numbers near the telephone.  Have at least one standard non-cordless telephone or a cellular phone available to make calls.
• Have a flashlight with fresh batteries on each floor of your home.
• Avoid using candles; a battery-operated lantern would be a better bet.  If using candles, never leave them unattended.
• Have a battery-powered clock.
• Have a supply of bottled water and easy-to-prepare, non-perishable foods available for extended outages.  Make sure you have enough water for drinking and cooking.
• Have sensitive electronic appliances, like microwave ovens, televisions and computers, protected with a voltage surge suppressor.  The suppressor can eliminate the surge from lightning, fallen poles or other accidents before the surge can enter equipment and protects valuables from damage.  If appliances are not protected, unplug them before a storm.

Back to top

When a storm hits or an outage occurs, stay safe and informed...

• Tune into news broadcasts and take cover, if necessary.
• If outside, be watchful for trees and downed power lines, especially in the dark and report emergencies to PECO as soon as possible.  Do not touch or try to move downed lines and consider all downed lines as energized and extremely dangerous.  Call PECO immediately at 1-800-841-4141 and report the location.
• If power lines fall on your vehicle while in it, stay in the car until emergency personnel can assist.  The car can become energized.

Back to top

What to do when the lights go out - Key steps to take...

• Check the fuse or circuit breaker box to see if a fuse tripped inside the home.
• Check with the neighbors to see if their power is out.
• Call PECO at 1-800-841-4141 as soon as possible. Remember, call volume can become very busy during storms and the automated, interactive system allows the company to accept thousands of calls at a time and get your information to the right people faster.  When more customers call, we can better manage our response efforts.
• Be sure to request a customer service representative if you can describe damage that has occurred, such as a downed pole or wires, etc.
• Once the cause of the outage is known, PECO will do our best to provide you with updates on power restoration and when you can expect service to be restored.  In most cases, outages are restored in less than two hours, longer during storms.
• Turn off and unplug most appliances to prevent an electrical overload when power is restored, and keep a couple of lights on so you'll know when service is back.
• Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible.  Resist the urge to frequently check on foods.  Move meats, cheese, milk etc. into the freezer compartment since it will stay colder longer.  If the freezer is partially full, it can keep meat frozen for up to 24 hours and up to 48 hours when full.  Fill the freezer and refrigerator with bottles filled with water to occupy more space.  Wrap the refrigerator/freezer in a blanket to keep it insulated and preserve foods longer.
• Dry ice, available at some retail stores, can be used to preserve frozen foods for longer than 24 hours but presents safety concerns.  Dry ice is hazardous material and must be handled with care because it can cause severe burns.  Food that directly touches dry ice can get freezer burns.  Dry ice should not be used in a smaller cooler with food or medicines that are needed and could become frozen.
• PECO will not supply dry ice during weather-related events, so that the company can focus its resources on power restoration activities.

Back to top

During colder weather...

• Open faucets slightly so there is a constant drip of water so pipes don't freeze during extended outages.
• Wear extra layers of clothing and a hat to prevent the loss of body heat.
• If you have a fireplace, never use gasoline or other flammable liquids to start or quicken a fire.
• Fireplaces can provide light and heat, but be sure to keep a screen around the open flame.  Always have the damper open for proper ventilation and while the ashes are still hot.  Ashes can remain hot for more than 24 hours, under some conditions.
• Never use a gas range for room heating.  This is extremely dangerous.
• Store perishable foods outside in a cold, shaded area or in an unheated garage.
• During the day, open your blinds to allow sun to warm the space.  At night, cover your windows with drapes or blankets to minimize heat loss.

Back to top

PECO's power restoration process...

• PECO will immediately work to assess the cause of any reported outage and associated damage and make repairs that will restore service to the most people in the least amount of time.
• PECO works to restore any affected power substations, and transmission lines first, followed by critical care customers, such as police and fire stations, hospitals and nursing homes, and public water and sewer facilities.  Then, restoration efforts are prioritized with attention being given to circuits based on the number of affected customers, then more localized areas, followed by individual customer outages.
• Those who have medical conditions should make plans for alternate sources of power or alternate accommodations in the event of an extended power outage.
• PECO will make every effort to provide an estimated time for restoration.  Estimated restoration times can be provided once we complete damage assessment and what's necessary to make repairs.  It's more difficult to provide restoration times in the early phases of a major, severe storm with widespread damage.  We appreciate your understanding and patience.

Back to top

Safe use of generators...

• Don't connect your generator directly to your home's wiring.  Connecting a portable electric generator directly to your household wiring can be deadly to you and others.  A generator that is directly connected to your home's wiring can "backfeed" onto the power lines connected to your home.  Utility transformers can then "step-up" or increase this backfeed to thousands of volts - enough to kill a utility lineman making outage repairs a long way from your house.
• Never use a generator indoors or in an attached garage.  Just like your automobile, a portable generator uses an internal combustion engine that emits deadly carbon monoxide.  Be sure to place the generator where exhaust fumes will not enter the house.  Only operate it outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home, and protected from direct exposure to rain and snow, preferably under a canopy, open shed or carport.
• Never plug a portable electric generator into a regular household outlet.  Plugging a generator into a regular household outlet can energize "dead" power lines and injure neighbors or utility workers.
• Don't overload the generator.  Do not operate more appliances and equipment than the output rating of the generator.  Overloading your generator can seriously damage your valuable appliances and electronics.
• Use the proper power cords.  Plug individual appliances into the generator using heavy-duty, outdoor-rated cords with a wire gauge adequate for the appliance load.  Overloaded cords can cause fires or equipment damage.  Don't use extension cords with exposed wires or worn shielding.
• Read and adhere to the manufacturer's instructions for safe operation.  Don't cut corners when it comes to safety.  Carefully read and observe all instructions in your portable electric generator's owner manual.
• Turn off all equipment powered by the generator before shutting down your generator.

Back to top

When power is restored...

• Wait a few minutes and plug appliances back in one at a time.
• Make a list of items you wish you had and restock for the next emergency.

Back to top