[August 27, 2011] Thousands Already Without Power: PSE&G Tweet NEW JERSEY, Aug 27, 2011 (WPIX-TV - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Hurricane Irene is already taking its toll on area power lines as PSE&G reports several thousand without power. According to the PSE&G press release: As of 9 p.m., PSE&G is reporting about 4,700 customers without power due to the heavy winds and driving rain caused by Hurricane Irene. The utility provides electric service to 2.2 million customers. The state's largest electric and gas utility has extra personnel and supplies on hand to assure that storm-related emergencies are handled safely and promptly. Even so, customers should be prepared for potentially lengthy outages. Crews will begin to restore service once the heavy winds subside and it is safe to work on overhead electric lines. Many of the outages are caused by falling trees and limbs, which bring down power lines. Downed wires should always be considered "live." STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES. Do not approach or drive over a downed line and do not touch anything that it might be in contact with. To report a downed wire and other visible equipment damage, call 1-800-436-PSEG and tell PSE&G the nearest cross street. To report a power outage, call PSE&G's Customer Service line: 1-800-436-PSEG. In addition to widespread electric outages, PSE&G expects the heavy rain and predicted storm surge to result in gas outages. Water could enter the utility's gas distribution system, as well as flood customers' basements and gas appliances. Customers are reminded to call PSE&G to report gas odors, and contact their local fire department and municipal construction office to receive assistance in pumping the water out of their basements. Electric crews work to restore power to the largest numbers of customers first, taking into account "priority" customers, such as hospitals, police stations, fire stations, water and sewer facilities, communications facilities (TV, radio, and telephone), and customers on life-sustaining medical equipment. At the same time, the utility restores power to homes and businesses, starting with the circuits serving the largest number of customers. Customers with a handheld device, or who are at an alternate location with power, can also report power outages and view the status of their outage by logging in to My Account at pseg.com. General outage activity throughout our service territory is available online at pseg.com/outagecenter and updates are posted on pseg.com during severe weather. We have activated our Twitter page to keep the public informed about our restoration progress. Sign up as a follower at http://twitter.com/psegoutageinfo. ___ (c)2011 WPIX-TV (New York) Visit WPIX-TV (New York) at www.wpix.com Distributed by MCT Information Services [ Back To TMCnet.com's Homepage ]