As of 1 p.m. today, more than 30,000 customers have been restored; high sustained winds and gusts causing outages and challenging restoration efforts

BALTIMORE (Feb. 25, 2019) – BGE is restoring electric service to customers who lost power due to high winds overnight and continuing into today. Most of the outages have resulted from strong winds knocking trees and large tree limbs onto power lines and other electric equipment throughout BGE's service area.

BGE increased staffing and mobilized crews in advance of the storm, and those crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to restore service to customers who have lost power. Crews are keeping especially mindful of challenges to safety caused by this storm. Customers, too, should be aware that BGE crews must avoid hazardous road conditions and remove downed trees and large limbs from power lines before repairs can be completed. Additionally, operation of bucket trucks for overhead repairs is limited in high winds. These conditions have the potential to hinder storm response.

As of 1 p.m., BGE has restored power to more than 30,000 customers, while more than 8,000 remain without power. A dynamically updated outage map is available at outagemap.bge.com. Real-time outage and restoration numbers and outages broken down by county are available under the summary tab.

High winds are expected to last through early evening. Customers should prepare for the possibility of additional outages caused by this storm. In addition, BGE's restoration efforts will be supported by mutual assistance crews beginning Tuesday, if necessary.

BGE asks all customers, including those with smart meters, to report their outage. Outages and downed wires may be reported by calling 877-778-2222, on BGE.com and through mobile devices. Outages may also be reported online at BGE.com and via BGE's free mobile app available at the Apple Store or Google Play. To sign up for email and text notifications, visit BGE.com/alerts.

As a reminder, BGE emphasizes that 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; warn others not to touch the vehicle or the wire, and call emergency services.

Outage information and important details on how to remain safe during severe weather and other emergency events can be found at the storm center on BGE.com and via @MyBGE BGE on Twitter and Facebook.

Customers with special needs, such as those who may be elderly, disabled or dependent on electricity for medical equipment, are advised to have alternate arrangements in place should they experience an extended power outage.

BGE's restoration priorities are public safety and critical care facilities, such as 911 centers, hospitals and pumping stations. Then restoration is generally scheduled so that the greatest number of customers can be restored as quickly and as safely as possible. However, in cases of extended power outages, consideration is also given to customers who have been without service for the longest amount of time.

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BGE, founded in 1816 as the nation's first gas utility and headquartered in Baltimore, is Maryland's largest natural gas and electric utility. The company's approximately 3,200 employees are committed to safe and reliable energy delivery to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland.  In the J.D. Power 2017 and 2018 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study ^SM  BGE was ranked Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Business Electric Service in the East among Large Utilities. In addition, in the J.D. Power 2018 Gas Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study ^SM   BGE received Best in Customer Satisfaction with Business Natural Gas Service in the East. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation's leading competitive energy provider. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube  and Flickr.

Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (or "BGE") received the highest score in the East Large segment of the 2018 Electric Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study and the East Region of the 2018 Gas Utility Business Customer Satisfaction Study of electric and gas utility customer satisfaction among business customers. Visit jdpower.com/awards.