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Violent Summer Storm Caused Widespread Damage And Interrupts Electric Service To More Than 150,000 PECO Customers

Posted on: Wednesday, 11 June 2008, 09:01 CDT

Following three days of oppressive temperatures a violent storm ripped through the region last night bringing heavy rain, severe lightning and wind gusts of more than 60 miles per hour. This extreme weather caused extensive damage and power outages affecting about 152,000 PECO customers.

Hundreds of crews, working throughout the night, have restored service to more than 82,000 customers. Currently about 69,000 customers remain without power; mostly in the hardest hit areas of Montgomery and Chester counties.

In preparation for yesterday's storm, PECO activated its entire emergency response organization and pre-staged crews to respond to damage as effectively as possible. Due to the extent of damage, some customers - in the most heavily damaged areas - may not be able to have their service restored until Friday. Crews will continue to work around the clock, and will not stop until damage is repaired and service is restored to all customers.

"We know our customers are impacted and inconvenienced whenever they are without electric service," said Eric Helt, director of PECO's emergency response. "We appreciate their patience and understanding during these difficult conditions and are doing everything we can to restore service as quickly and as safety as possible."

While crews work to repair damage, customers should be aware of downed power lines and other damaged electric equipment. Customers also are reminded to check in on their neighbors, family and friends, and assist the elderly and those with special needs.

Prior to yesterday's severe storm, the region was gripped by a three-day heat wave. During that time, customers electric usage pushed electric demand to 8,760 megawatts (MW). The record for electric demand on the PECO system is 8,932 MW, set on August 3, 2006.

Based in Philadelphia, PECO is an electric and natural gas utility serving 1.6 million electric and 480,000 natural gas customers in southeastern Pennsylvania and employs about 2,500 people in the region. PECO delivered 78.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas and 86 billion kilowatt-hours-hours of electricity in 2007. Founded in 1881, PECO is one of the Greater Philadelphia Region's most active corporate citizens, providing leadership, volunteer and financial support to numerous arts and culture, education, environmental, economic development and community programs and organizations.

Source: Business Wire

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