As the first large storm of 2015 moves toward Northern and Central
California packing heavy rain and gusty winds, Pacific Gas and Electric
Company (PG&E) is hard at work preparing for the storm and reminds
customers to have a preparedness plan ready as well for potential power
outages and other storm related hazards. The utility is closely tracking
the weather system and mobilizing crews and materials into areas that
will feel the brunt of the storm, so they can get to work and restore
service to impacted customers more quickly.
“PG&E has been implementing our storm preparedness plans for the past
three days to help provide our customers with a safe, quick and
effective response when this weather system makes landfall in
California. Likewise, we encourage our customers to take the time now to
make a plan or review your personal and family preparedness plans before
the storm arrives,” said Barry Anderson, vice president of emergency
preparedness and response for PG&E.
PG&E routinely practices its preparedness and response to storms and
other emergencies through company exercises and through drills with
local first responders. The company also utilizes the latest technology
to restore power more quickly and efficiently after a storm. This
includes the use of storm damage prediction models, the installation of
automated equipment that “self-heals” the electric grid, and a network
of more than 4.5 million electric SmartMeters that provide timely and
accurate outage data.
PG&E urges customers to stay safe during storms and remember the
following safety tips:
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Always treat low hanging and downed power lines as if they are
energized and extremely dangerous. Keep yourself and others away from
them. Be aware that trees, pools of water and other objects may be in
contact with energized power lines. If you see damaged power lines or
electrical equipment, call 911 immediately and then notify PG&E at
1-800-743-5002.
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During a power outage, use battery-operated flashlights, and not
candles, due to the risk of fire. If you must use candles, please keep
them away from drapes, lampshades and small children. Do not leave
candles unattended.
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Customers with generators should make sure they are properly installed
by a licensed electrician in a well-ventilated area. Improperly
installed generators pose a significant danger to crews working on
power lines.
-
If you experience an outage, unplug or turn off all electrical
appliances to avoid overloading circuits and to prevent fire hazards
when power is restored. Simply leave a single lamp on to alert you
when power returns. Turn your appliances back on one at a time when
conditions return to normal.
-
Freeze plastic containers filled with water to make blocks of ice that
can be placed in your refrigerator and freezer during an outage to
prevent food from spoiling. Blue Ice from your picnic cooler also
works well in the freezer.
For more safety tips please visit www.pge.com/safety.
About PG&E
Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E
Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas
and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco,
with more than 23,000 employees, the company delivers some of the
nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and
Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com
and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.
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Copyright Business Wire 2015