While we’re always working to provide you with the safe, reliable electricity you depend on each day, power outages can happen – especially when severe weather strikes. When the power does go out, we know you rely on timely information to help manage through.
Our 24/7 Power Center outage maps are one of many tools our customers can use to stay informed during a power outage. The maps provide important outage information, including the cause of an outage, number of affected customers, crew status and estimated restoration time, and are updated every 15 minutes.
We’re pleased to share some newly implemented enhancements designed to make it easier for you to locate key information about your outage. The new features include:
- View by Location: Color-coded icons show the number of customers impacted by an outage and polygon shapes will be drawn around an entire area where an outage impacts three or more locations.
- View by Area: Outages have color-coded shading at the county or municipality level when zoomed in.
- State Map Navigation: A navigation bar at the top of the outage map lets you toggle between maps for each state in FirstEnergy’s footprint, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey.
- Enroll in Text Messages: You can now enroll in text messaging directly from the map to stay up to date on the status of your outage.
- Summary Report: View outages by county or municipality, with the added ability to search and sort results.
- Weather Radar Overlay: Toggle on/off and adjust the opacity of a real-time weather radar overlay on the map to see how the weather may be impacting your current outage status.
- Service Address Search: Improved address search functionality allows you to locate and save several addresses to quickly view outage details and restoration updates for the locations most important to you.
Additionally, you can continue to view the maps on both desktop and mobile devices, which we know is especially important during a power outage when a mobile device helps you stay connected. To learn more about the upgrades and key features of the outage map, visit the 24/7 Power Center Map Help.
New Text Messaging Options
Another great option for staying informed during a power outage is enrolling in our alert service, which will automatically notify you via text message or email when the status has changed for your reported outage. You can also sign up for text messaging to request updates for a reported power outage using the texting service on your mobile device. When you do, we’ll reply with the cause of the outage, number of affected customers, crew status and estimated restoration time.
In addition to the updated outage map, our text messaging options have been enhanced to make it easier to request outage status updates or make changes to a request. These features include:
- Natural Language Text: You can now request outage updates by text using conversational phrases like “My power is out” or “When will my power be on?”
- Additional Keywords: Several new keywords have been added to improve customers’ experience with outage communications text alerts. For example, customers will now be able to text CANCEL to cancel a request and reset the two-way conversation.
If you’re not enrolled in outage alerts or our text messaging service, learn more and register.
Expanded Crew Status Updates
The descriptions for crew status have been updated for both the outage map and text alerts to provide additional details about the current stage of the restoration process.
The new crew status updates include:
- Preparing for Crew Assessment: We’re aware of the outage and crews will be assigned as soon as possible.
- Preparing for Dispatch: Will be displayed when specific crews are assigned and dispatched, and while crews are being given outage event information.
- Dispatched: This status will indicate that a crew is on its way to assess the cause of the outage.
- Arrived: A crew has arrived onsite to investigate the cause of the outage.
- Additional Crews Requested: Additional resources or a specialty crew is needed to safely restore power and they will be dispatched as soon as possible.
Get Connected
Now is a great time to sign up for text alerts and text messaging so that you can stay connected should a power outage occur. Be sure to visit your state’s updated outage map to check out the new features and set up your address bookmarks.
For tips to prepare for severe weather and to learn about FirstEnergy’s storm preparation and restoration process, visit firstenergycorp.com/outages. You can also follow us on social media for important safety reminders and tips to prepare your family for outages.
FAQs
However, the three most common causes are natural causes, human error, and overload. Basically, any interruption between power generation and the supply of electricity to homes can cause a power outage. It can stem from inclement weather conditions, human error, equipment failure, and even animal interference.
How do I report a power outage in New Jersey? ›
1-800-436-PSEG (7734).
Are Met.Ed. and FirstEnergy the same company? ›
In 2001, FirstEnergy merged with GPU, Inc., the owner of Jersey Central Power & Light Company, Pennsylvania Electric Company (Penelec), and Metropolitan Edison Company (Met-Ed). FirstEnergy later merged with Greensburg, Pennsylvania-based Allegheny Energy in 2011.
Does Met Ed First Energy have an app? ›
FirstEnergy Corp. has launched a new mobile website and free smartphone app for its electric utility customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia and Maryland.
Why is half of my house without power without flipped breakers? ›
So, if power suddenly goes out to part of the home, but no breakers trip, it could be that one of the two hot wires has become loose (causing flickering) or disconnected (no power). This can happen at the transformer, in the meter base, or at the connection to the main breaker in the panel.
What is the most likely cause of a power outage? ›
Storms: Wind, heat, ice and snow are the most common causes of widespread power outages.
How long can a fridge go without power? ›
As the USDA notes in Keeping Food Safe During an Emergency, your refrigerator will keep food safe for up to 4 hours during a power outage. Keep the door closed as much as possible. Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, and leftovers after 4 hours without power.
Can you shower when the power is out? ›
Most plumbing does not require electricity so thankfully your toilet will still work! The downside to a power outage is that if you have to shower, keep it short! The water heater only holds so much hot water and some citywide systems use electricity to pump sewage to facilities so it could get backed up quickly.
How many power outages are there in New Jersey? ›
Power outages in New Jersey
| Area | % of power outage | Number of outages reported |
|---|
| New Jersey | 0.0 | 615 |
| Bergen County, NJ | 0.1 | 447 |
| Burlington County, NJ | 0.0 | 31 |
| Camden County, NJ | 0.0 | 12 |
11 more rowsBack in 2019, former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder took $61 million in bribes in exchange for legislation to give FirstEnergy a $1 billion bailout, named House Bill 6, all at the expense of the ratepayers. The scheme was revealed in three main ways — two separate whistleblowers and a phone wiretap.
FirstEnergy is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving more than 6 million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York.
Is FirstEnergy a buy or sell? ›
FirstEnergy stock has received a consensus rating of buy. The average rating score is and is based on 19 buy ratings, 12 hold ratings, and 3 sell ratings.
Can you flush the toilet when the power is out? ›
Depending on the amount of water remaining in the pipes, you might be able to flush your toilet several times while the power is out. Eventually, however, your tank won't fill up anymore because the pumps are down. When this happens, you will need to flush your toilet manually by pouring in a bucket of water.
Is heat counted as electricity? ›
For electric heating costs will be part of your electricity bill. For gas heating, gas usage will show up on your natural gas bill. Some homes are only wired for electricity and not for natural gas so you only get an electric bill.
What is the PA hardship program? ›
Dollar Energy Fund's Pennsylvania Hardship Program provides one-time assistance grants to FirstEnergy customers that are applied directly to their utility bill.
Why does my power keep randomly going out? ›
Overloaded Electrical Circuits
Overloading your electrical circuits is a typical reason your power keeps going out without warning. You get this scenario when your home's electrical demand exceeds the capacity of the circuit, which then causes a trip in the breaker.
What is it called when you lose power for no more than a few seconds? ›
Power flickers … momentary outages … brief service interruptions – these are some of the terms used to describe brief power outages lasting less than 60 seconds. Regardless of what you call them, they're annoying because they can briefly shut down the electronic devices and appliances in your home or business.
Why did my power shut off then back on? ›
The most likely cause is a tripped breaker. This can happen when the electrical circuit is overloaded, or a defective appliance or damaged cord short-circuits the system.
Why has power gone off? ›
It can happen for many reasons, such as a downed power line, a transformer failure, or a power plant shutdown. You should contact your power company to fix this and report the outage.
