Pepco Preparing to Support Customers Ahead of This Weekend’s Winter Weather

With winter weather expected to bring snow and freezing rain across the District and Maryland beginning late Saturday, Jan. 24, and continuing through Monday, Jan. 26, Pepco is taking steps to ensure customers have the support they need before, during, and after the storm.

Pepco is mobilizing for this winter storm and has proactively increased staffing to ensure crews are available to respond to any power outages as quickly and safely as possible. Of particular concern is the potential for a significant accumulation of snow, followed by sleet or freezing rain, which can have a severe impact on trees and power lines. Downed trees, limbs and other debris cause approximately half of all power outages during storms. Our preparations are focused on keeping customers safe and restoring service promptly if the weather causes damage. Helping Customers Prepare Pepco encourages customers to take simple steps now to stay safe and comfortable if the storm affects power in their area:

• Keep bottled water and non-perishable, easy-to-prepare food on hand.
• Customers who rely on electricity for medical equipment, or who may be elderly or have disabilities, should confirm backup plans in case of an extended outage.
• Assemble an emergency storm kit with a battery-powered radio, flashlight, a first-aid kit, blankets, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, medications, multi-purpose tool and list of important/emergency phone numbers.
• Fully charge cell phones, computers, electric vehicles, and other devices before the storm arrives.
• If you have a landline, keep a corded phone available in case mobile devices lose power.
• Place a working flashlight with fresh batteries on each floor of your home.

How to report outages: Pepco asks all customers to report outages in any of the following ways:

• Online at pepco.com/storm
• Pepco's free mobile app
• Text message, to 48710
• Phone, by calling 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662)

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

Restoration priorities

Pepco's restoration priorities are public safety and other essential services 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 safely as possible. However, in cases of extended power outages, consideration is also given to customers who have been without service for the longest.

Downed wires: safety reminder

As a reminder, fallen overhead power lines should never be approached or touched even if the lines do not appear to be live or sparking. Call Pepco at 1-877-PEPCO-62 (1-877-737-2662) to report fallen electrical lines and power outages.

Pepco customers are encouraged to visit pepco.com/alerts before winter weather grips the region. Customers can receive updates on their energy usage and information regarding power outages via text, email, or phone, including when power is out, when service is expected to be restored, or when power is restored. In addition, customers can text "ADDOUTAGE" to 48710, to enroll in our two-way texting program to report outages and check the status of an outage.

To learn more about Pepco, visit The Source, our online newsroom. Find additional information by visiting pepco.com, on Facebook at facebook.com/PepcoConnect and on X at X.com/PepcoConnect. Pepco's mobile app is available at pepco.com/MobileApp.