​BALTIMORE (Jan. 29, 2021) – BGE is closely monitoring and preparing for Winter Storm Orlena which is forecasted to bring six to ten inches of snow to Maryland starting early Sunday morning through Monday.

"Safety is BGE's top priority. Just as we prepare, we ask our customers to get ready for this storm in case there are power outages. We encourage customers to take preparation steps now and to have alternative plans in place to help ensure their safety ahead of the storm," said Tamla Olivier, BGE's chief customer officer. "When outages occur, we work to restore every customer as safely and as quicky as possible. Please keep in mind that snow and ice can cause dangerous road conditions that may impact the arrival times of crews working to restore service."

BGE's first restoration priority is public safety and critical facilities, such as 911 centers, hospitals, and pumping stations. Restoration is then generally scheduled so that the greatest number of customers can be restored as quickly and as safely as possible.

In cases of extended power outages, consideration is also given to customers who have special needs. However, it's still critically important for customers with special needs—such as those who may be elderly, disabled, or dependent on electricity for medical equipment—to have alternate arrangements in place ahead of major storms.

How customers can report outages
Winter storm conditions forecast for early Sunday morning through Monday could cause outages by knocking down tree limbs onto power lines and other electric delivery equipment. BGE asks all customers, including those with smart meters, to report their outage in any of the following ways:

• Online, at BGE.com
• BGE's free mobile app, available at the Apple Store or Google Play
• Text message, sent to MyBGE (69243)
• Phone, by calling customer service at 877-778-2222
  

These reporting services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To sign up for email and text notifications, visit BGE.com/alerts.

Downed power lines: reporting and safety
As a reminder, fallen overhead power lines should never be approached or touched. Immediately call BGE at 877-778-2222 to report the downed wire. If an overhead wire falls across your vehicle while you are driving, stay inside the vehicle and continue to drive away from the line. If the engine stalls, do not leave your vehicle, and warn others not to touch the vehicle or the wire. Call emergency services immediately.

Prevent utility meter damage
As an additional step to help ensure their safety, customers should identify the location of outside utility equipment such as natural gas or electric meters that could be covered in snow and may be damaged during snow removal. Please use a broom or brush to gently clear the area around meters of anything blocking it, including debris, ice, and snow. Do not melt ice or snow on meters with a heat source, and do not chip or scrape ice. It is also important to remove icicles that hang over the meter.

BGE crews are following COVID-19 safety protocols
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve and impact our central-Maryland community, we want to reaffirm with you our commitment to the safety and well-being of our customers, employees, and contractors. Safety is our top priority. We have implemented important procedures to prioritize the health of our community. All BGE employees and contractors have been instructed to practice safe social distancing and to follow other health and safety best practices consistent with CDC guidelines.