For Immediate Release
Contact
Linda J, Foy
Linda.Foy@bge.com
BGE Readies Ahead of Hurricane Florence
Company ready to respond locally and provides tips for customers to prepare and stay safe
BALTIMORE (September 11, 2018) – With Hurricane Florence expected to bear down on the eastern seaboard in less than 36 hours, BGE's full emergency response organization is ready. Employees and local contractors have inspected equipment, reviewed procedures and assembled staffing plans to ensure around-the-clock support to respond to any potential impacts from this storm.
At present, there are approximately 800 line workers and tree personnel actively engaged in storm response preparations. This includes BGE employees and BGE contractors, employees from Exelon sister utilities ComEd and PECO and lineworkers secured through mutual assistance agreements. This number is expected to change as the storm's path becomes clearer and appropriate resource adjustments are made regarding the need to request or provide mutual assistance.
BGE is also partnering with local and state emergency management offices and keeping them apprised of BGE's efforts.
Over the years, BGE has sent thousands of crews and support personnel to assist utilities, in our region and across the country, as part of mutual assistance networks. Should Florence not impact the BGE service area, company personnel and local contractors will once again be ready to answer the call if needed to support other impacted utilities. BGE most recently provided restoration assistance in Puerto Rico earlier this year and to areas of Florida and Georgia that were affected by Hurricane Irma last September.
The safety of our customers and communities is always our top priority. We encourage our customers to also prepare and also stay safe during sever weather events:
Preparation tips:
Safety tips:
BGE asks all customers, including those with smart meters, to report their outage. Outages may be reported online at BGE.com and via BGE's free mobile app available at the Apple Store or Google Play. Customers may also report outages and downed wires by calling 877-778-2222, on BGE.com and through mobile devices. To sign up for email and text notifications, visit BGE.com/alerts.
More information about how to prepare can be found on the "Storm Readiness" section of bge.com.