Atlantic City Electric Urges Residents to Prepare for Severe Storms

With a Tornado Watch in effect for the State of New Jersey until 7 p.m., Atlantic City Electric urged residents to prepare for severe storms that could result in power outages on Tuesday afternoon, Sept. 18.

To report an outage or other emergency, such as a downed wire, pole accident or tree limb on a wire please call 1-800-833-7476.

Atlantic City Electric offered the following tips:

• Stay away from downed wires. They could be energized and electrical contact could be fatal.
• Avoid crews working in the street. This will help maintain safety in the area and allow crews to focus on restoring service.
• Have adequate prescription medicines or infant supplies on hand.
• If you or someone you know uses life-support equipment that requires electricity to operate, identify an alternate location with emergency power capabilities and make plans to go there during an extended outage if necessary.
• Assemble an emergency “storm kit.” Include a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, special needs items, an insulated cooler and a list of important and emergency phone numbers.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods and bottled water and have a hand-operated can opener.
• Have a telephone with a cord or cell phone to use as a backup. Cordless telephones require electricity to operate, and won’t work if there is an outage.
• Protect your electronic equipment. Unplug sensitive electronics or plug computers and other sensitive equipment into surge suppressors, and consider a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for temporary battery backup power.
• Turn off power to flood-prone basement appliances if it is safe to do so. However, if you have an electrically operated sump pump, you should not turn off your power.
• Tune in to local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information.
• Follow the advice of your local emergency management officials.
• Take cover if necessary.