PenLight crews are always prepared and standing by to respond should power outages occur in our area. When severe storms cause power disruptions, our line crews take all necessary precautions before they get to work on any downed lines.
We would encourage you to also practice safety and preparedness to protect your family during storms and outages.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency recommends the items below as a starting point for storm and disaster preparedness, but you can visit the Ready website for additional resources.
- Stock your pantry with a three-day supply of nonperishable food, including canned goods, energy bars, peanut butter, powdered milk, instant coffee, water, and other essentials.
- Confirm that you have adequate sanitation and hygiene supplies, including towelettes, soap, and hand sanitizer.
- Ensure your first-aid kit is stocked with pain relievers, bandages, and other medical essentials, and make sure your prescriptions are current.
- Set aside basic household items you will need, including flashlights, batteries, a manual can opener, and a portable, battery-powered radio or TV.
- Organize emergency supplies so they are easily accessible in one location.
In the event of a prolonged power outage, turn off major appliances, TVs, computers, and other sensitive electronics. This will avoid damage from potential power surges and will also help prevent overloading circuits during power restoration. Leave on just one light, so you will know when power is restored.
If you plan to use a portable generator, make sure it’s rated to handle the amount of power you will need, and always review the manufacturer’s instructions to operate it safely.
Listen to local news or a NOAA Weather Radio for storm and emergency information, and check PenLight’s Facebook page for restoration updates.
Severe storms can occasionally bring down power lines. If you see a downed line, always assume it’s energized and never approach it. If flooding occurs, never walk through areas where power lines could be submerged.
Advanced planning for severe storms or other emergencies can reduce stress and anxiety caused by the weather event and lessen the impact of the storm’s effects.
Sign up for NOAA emergency alerts and warnings and follow us on Facebook and X (@penlightco) for the latest power restoration updates. If you experience an outage, please don’t report it on Facebook. Call our outage reporting number at (877) 853-1388. This is the fastest way to let us know if your power is out.
We can never predict Mother Nature’s plans. At PenLight, we recommend that you make a plan today—because storm preparedness is always our best defense.
Be Prepared
- Create an emergency kit with power outage essentials: batteries, power banks, flashlights, non-perishable foods, water, medical supplies, and prescriptions.
- Develop an emergency family plan with me ng points, com unica on methods, and evacuate on routes. Share your plan with all family members.
- Monitor the weather for important updates that could impact your emergency plan.
Stay Safe
- Ensure a safe shelter. Stay away from windows and doors. Move to a basement or an interior room without windows.
- Use portable generators safely: operate outdoors in well-ventilated areas, place on a flat, dry surface, do not overload, and always read the operating manual before use.
- Severe storms can bring down tree limbs and power lines. If you encounter a downed line, stay back. Always assume a downed line is live and dangerous.