By: Electric Light & Power |
Jersey Central Power & Light (JCP&L) has restored power to nearly 160,000, or about 20 percent, of its customers following Hurricane Sandy.
At the peak, more than 1 million of JCP&L’s 1.1 million customers were without power. Customers experienced more than 1.2 million interruptions as many customers who initially had power restored experienced multiple service interruptions.
Using helicopters, vehicles and foot patrols, JCP&L continues to assess damage to its electric system and make repairs to thousands of poles, lines and dozens of substations.
About 940,000 JCP&L customers remain without power. The majority of customers will be restored within the next seven days. Customers in the hardest-hit areas are expected to be restored in an additional seven days. Remaining customers will be restored once damaged roads, infrastructure and homes are rebuilt. Downed trees and branches have made many roads impassable, and flooding has been a major issue in the aftermath of this storm.
Progress on repairs to damaged transmission lines is sufficient to allow JCP&L to begin providing power to substations. Six substations flooded due to the storm surge. Prior to Hurricane Sandy’s arrival, JCP&L had proactively de-energized substations to the barrier islands in Monmouth and Ocean counties to protect equipment and help speed the restoration process.
JCP&L’s emergency operations center has been in full operation since October 29. Mobile command centers also are located strategically around the state. Emergency services and first responders in JCP&L’s service area, including hospitals, police, fire and first aid, will be given first priority for restoration of service. Then, repairs are made to restore service to the largest number of customers.
