RALEIGH, N.C., Jan. 23 /PRNewswire/ -- Progress Energy is preparing for a
winter storm that could bring snow, sleet and freezing rain to much of its
North Carolina service area on Sunday. Line crews and tree personnel will be
mobilized to assist with storm restoration, though exact crew numbers will not
be finalized until Saturday.
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"Our storm teams are closely monitoring the forecast and will be prepared
to respond quickly if freezing rain causes power outages this weekend," said
Jackie Joyner, Progress Energy's system storm coordinator. "While Progress
Energy is preparing for the possible storm, we encourage our customers to
prepare their homes and families as well. Information available on our new
storm Web site is a valuable resource we hope customers will access before the
storm hits so that they will be well prepared if a power outage occurs."
New Progress Energy storm site
Progress Energy recently launched an expanded storm information Web site
for customers. The new site, progress-energy.com/storm, includes interactive
presentations on how customers can prepare for major storms and what they can
do if a power outage occurs as a result of a storm. Progress Energy encourages
customers to log on before the storm hits and print information for reference
if a power outage occurs.
Three interactive multimedia presentations are featured on the site. The
modules include a description of how power is restored after a storm,
instructions for what to do when the power goes out, and a detailed
explanation of how to assess electric meter damage after a storm. The site
also includes storm tips and links to weather resources and emergency service
agencies.
If this storm causes major outages, the Web site will be a resource for
pertinent information customers need with regard to: number of power outages,
areas most impacted, prospective power restoration schedule, and number of
crews in the field.
If the power goes out
Because of high call volume during a storm, the quickest way to report an
outage is to call our automated outage-reporting system at 1-800-419-6356. In
the first 48 hours after a storm, restoration times are difficult to predict.
If customers are without heat, they may want to consider moving themselves and
their family -- especially those with special needs -- to an alternate
location during an extended outage.
Progress Energy advises customers to take precautions in the event of
winter weather:
* Stay away from downed power lines. Keep children and pets away as well.
Always assume downed lines are energized.
* Do not stand under ice-laden limbs or power lines. Be on the lookout
for falling ice.
* If you use a generator, always follow the manufacturer's directions.
* Keep at least one battery-powered flashlight where it can be located
easily in the dark. Listen for storm information on a battery-powered
radio. Keep an extra supply of fresh batteries.
* Make sure you are adequately stocked with canned goods and bottled
water.
* Make sure any indoor heaters, like wood stoves or kerosene heaters,
have adequate ventilation to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
Likewise, make sure the flue of your fireplace is working properly.
Never use outdoor grills in the house.
* Make sure you have adequate fuel on hand for supplementary heating
sources, such as a fireplace, wood-burning stove or kerosene heater.
Progress Energy (NYSE: PGN), headquartered in Raleigh, N.C., is a Fortune
250 diversified energy company with more than 24,000 megawatts of generation
capacity and $9 billion in annual revenues. The company's holdings include two
electric utilities serving more than 2.8 million customers in North Carolina,
South Carolina and Florida. Progress Energy also includes nonregulated
operations covering competitive generation, energy marketing, natural gas
exploration, fuel extraction, rail services and broadband capacity. For more
information about Progress Energy, visit the company's Web site
at http://www.progress-energy.com .
Customers who lose power should call: 1-800-419-6356
SOURCE Progress Energy, Inc.
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