Winter storm guide: Utility phone numbers, travel info, tips for outages
With a Nor'easter threatening to inundate New England tonight and early Saturday, the Philadelphia region, too, should brace for a dose of snow and wind. Here are some useful numbers and tips to have on hand during the storm.
ELECTRIC AND GAS COMPANIES: Numbers to report outages, leaks, downed wires and other emergencies, and to get status updates
Atlantic City Electric: 1-800-833-7476, atlanticcityelectric.com/home/emergency/report/online/default.aspx, @ACElecConnect on Twitter
Jersey Central Power and Light: 1-888-544-4877, firstenergycorp.com/content/customer/outages_help/Report_Power_Outages.html, @JCP_L on Twitter
Peco: 1-800-841-4141, peco.com/secure/myaccount/OutageInfo/ReportanOutage
Philadelphia Gas Works: 215-235-1212, pgworks.com
PPL: 1-800-342-5775, pplelectric.com/my-account/outage-center/report-an-outage.aspx, @PPLElectric on Twitter
PSE&G: 1-800-436-7734, pseg.com/home/customer_service/outage_info/outagemap.jsp, @PSEGdelivers on Twitter
OTHER SERVICES
Aqua America: 877.987.2782, aquaamerica.com/customer-service-center/contact-us.aspx
Philadelphia city services: 311 or 215-686-8686, phila.gov/311, @philly311 on Twitter
Philadelphia Water Department: 215-685-6300, phila.gov/water
Comcast: Text OUT to 266278 to check for known outages in area; if no other outages have been reported, call 1-800-934-6489, customer.comcast.com/help-and-support/cable-tv/cable-not-working, @comcastcares on Twitter
Verizon: 1-800-837-4966 (1-800-VERIZON), verizon.com/content/contactus, @VerizonSupport on Twitter
TRAVEL
Amtrak: 800-872-7245 (USA-RAIL), amtrak.com/alerts, @AmtrakNEC on Twitter
New Jersey highway traffic information: 511, 511nj.org
New Jersey Transit: 973-275-5555, njtransit.com, @NJ_Transit on Twitter
PATCO: 856-772-6900 or 215-922-4600, ridepatco.org, @RidePatco on Twitter
Pennsylvania highway traffic information: 511 or 1-877-511-7366, 511pa.com, @511PAPhilly and @PennDOTNews on Twitter
Philadelphia International Airport: 1-800-745-4283, phl.org/passengerinfo/Pages/FlightInformation.aspx, @PHLAirport on Twitter
SEPTA: 215-580-7800, septa.org/realtime/status/system-status.shtml, @SEPTA on Twitter
DISASTER RESPONSE
Red Cross of Southeastern Pennsylvania: 215-299-4889, redcross.org/pa/philadelphia, @RedCrossPhilly on Twitter
Salvation Army of Greater Philadelphia: 215-787-2800
WHAT TO DO IF YOU LOSE POWER
Some tips from local utility companies:
- Check your fuse and/or circuit breaker box
- Have flashlights handy-Unplug appliances and electronics like refrigerators, microwaves, computers and televisions to prevent an overload when power is restored
- Keep one light switch on so you'll know when the power is back
- Stay away from fallen power lines
- Keep your refrigerator and freezer closed. Food in an unopened refrigerator will remain safe to eat for a few hours; a half-full freezer will hold food safely for 24 hours and food in a full freezer will keep 36 to 48 hours
- If the temperature in your home drops below 55 degrees, let your faucets drip slightly to prevent pipes from freezing-Keep blinds open during the day to let in sunlight. Close your blinds and cover your windows at night to prevent heat from escaping.
WHAT TO HAVE IN AN EMERGENCY KIT
In your home:
- Flashlights
- Extra batteries
- First-aid kit
- Bottled water
- Non-perishable food and non-electric can opener
- Matches and candles
- Extra blankets
- Battery-powered clock
In your car:
- Flashlight
- Jumper cables
- Flares
- Cell phone and charger
- First-aid kit
- Warm clothing (hats, gloves, scarves) and blankets
- Ice scraper
- Shovel
- Road salt
- Bottled water
- Snacks