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Power Outages Already Reported

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Everybody knew the outages would come.  Thousands have already been reported, and thousands more are expected to pile up through the evening and overnight hours when the storm is expected to be most severe.  “Restoration efforts are going to take time,” stresses Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) Chairman Robert Powelson. 

“Right now in Pennsylvania there are over 2,000 extra, mutual assistance line workers coming in from other states to help us,” Powelson explains, while adding that it may take some time before the conditions are safe enough for those line workers to make the needed repairs. 

Pennsylvanians can track power outrages via special websites that PPL, PECO and First Energy have established. 

PPL Electric Utilities got out ahead of the storm by sending its customers this robocall on Sunday night:PPL-ROBOCALL

Better communication and the proper management of expectations are two lessons that Powelson says the electric utilities learned from last year’s storms. 

If your power goes out, contact your utility immediately.  The PUC says you should not rely on your neighbor to do it.  You should NOT call 911 to report a power outages, as officials say those lines must be reserved for emergencies. 

Officials say to remain indoors and away from windows for the duration of the storm.  Once the storm passes, however, you may see fallen power lines.  The PUC says to stay away from those lines and to notify your utility company.

Hurricane Sandy: Highway Travel Restrictions Take Effect

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Beginning at 10:00am on Monday, PennDOT and the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission is temporarily reducing the speed limits on some southeast PA roadways.

The move is in response to the high winds and other dangerous conditions associated with Hurricane Sandy, the monster storm which is nearing landfall in New Jersey. Officials are urging motorists to avoid any unnecessary travel, but those who do have to be on the roads will be subject to a reduced 45 MPH speed limit.

That reduction includes traffic on the following roadways:

  • Interstate 76 in Philadelphia and Montgomery counties;
  • Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, Bucks and Delaware counties;
  • Interstate 476 in Delaware and Montgomery counties;
  • Interstate 676 in Philadelphia;
  • Pennsylvania Turnpike in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties;
  • U.S. Route 1 Extension in Philadelphia;
  • U.S. Route 1 in Bucks, Philadelphia, Delaware and Chester counties;
  • U.S. Route 30 Bypass in Chester County;
  • Route 63 (Woodhaven Expressway) in Philadelphia;
  • U.S. Route 202 in Chester County;
  • Route 309 in Bucks and Montgomery counties;
  • U.S. Route 422 in Montgomery County; and
  • Route 611 Bypass in Bucks County.

Today’s order also includes a restriction on the following types of vehicles on these highways:

  • Class 9 vehicles (Overweight and over-dimensional trucks);
  • Empty straight trucks;
  • Large Combination Vehicles (tandem trailers and doubles);
  • Tractors hauling empty trailers;
  • Trailers pulled by passenger vehicles;
  • Motorcycles;
  • Recreational Vehicles, or RVs.

Vehicles in these classifications should pull over to a safe area and wait for the restriction to be lifted. These restrictions may be expanded to other parts of the state as Sandy starts its move inland.

 

Hurricane Sandy: Utilities Brace for Impact

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As Hurricane Sandy continues on its collision course with Pennsylvania, utilities are preparing for high winds to wreak havoc with the electricity grid.

Officials with Allentown-based PPL say the utility has brought in 1500 extra crew members from as far away as Arkansas to deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Utility trucks have been amassing in numerous staging areas near major highways Monday morning as they prepare to be dispatched to trouble spots. The high winds associated with Sandy could uproot trees and knock down numerous power lines. Officials say power outages could last several days.

West Penn, Penelec, Met-Ed and other utilities are also scrambling their work force and preparing for emergency repairs.

Tropical storm-force winds are expected to top 60 MPH as the center of Sandy moves into the Keystone State by early Tuesday. Torrential rainfall is expected to begin today with totals reaching up to 10 inches.

 

Hurricane Sandy Looms

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The early effects of Hurricane Sandy began moving into Pennsylvania late Sunday and with the heaviest rainfall expected on the front side of the massive storm, the flash flooding risk begins today.

The National Weather Service is projecting as much as 10 inches of rainfall associated with Sandy, with the heaviest rains coming in the southeast and southern tier portions of the Commonwealth. Rain will be the main threat on Monday, with high winds taking over late in the day and into Tuesday. Officials are reminding residents to clear their porches and yards of items that might become projectiles in Tropical Storm-strength winds. The winds could also knock out power for large areas of the state, much like they did in last year’s Hurricane Irene.

President Obama has declared a disaster emergency for Pennsylvania and other states in the storm’s path. That will allow Governor Tom Corbett to apply for federal assistance for the steps taken to prepare for Sandy.

State Officials, Utilities Prepare for Major Storm

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Utilities are preparing for the potential of significant damage and power outages as Hurricane Sandy moves up the coast.   They’re bringing in extra crews and following the forecast.

PPL spokesman Joe Nixon says they have sister utilities in Kentucky and they’re already arranging to have them come in. They’re also reaching out  to the western states.

First Energy is taking similar steps.  Spokesman Scott Surgeoner says they’re moving crews in from service areas not impacted by the storm to those areas most likely to be hit.  He says they’re also working with mutual assistance organizations to have additional crews ready to restore service if needed.

The storm will be the first major test for changes made after Hurricane Irene, Tropical Storm Lee and the October snowstorm last year. First Energy has a 24 hour outage center on its home page that can be accessed by smart phone. The utility has agreements to place staff at a number of county emergency management offices to aid in coordinating power restoration. PPL has added capacity to its customer contact center to better handle high volume periods.

The utilities want people to notify them if their power goes out. Customers of First Energy utilities can call 1-888-544-4877. The number connects to an interactive system. Customers can also use the outage center on line.

PPL customers can call 1-800-342-5775. They can also use the on line outage center.

Despite the best efforts of the utilities, there could be prolonged power outages.  If you lose service, Surgeoner says don’t turn to unsafe methods of keeping warm. He says propane ovens or stoves should not be used to try to heat the house; they can cause carbon monoxide fumes to build up.  He says generators must be installed properly and used in well ventilated areas where fumes cannot come into your living space.

All downed power lines should be treated as live wires. Damaged power lines should be reported to the utility. Downed wires can also be reported to 911.

The Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency is also urging residents to prepare.  You can get a check list on line.

Governor Corbett toured areas hit by Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee last year and urged people to be prepared for this storm.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is urging preparations all along the East Coast.

New Life Jacket Regulations to Take Effect

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From November 1st through April 30th, boaters will be required to wear life jacket while on a boat less than 16-feet long, as well as all canoes & kayaks.  Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission spokesman Eric Levis says a disproportionate number of boating fatalities occur during these cold weather months. 

Levis tells Radio PA that life jackets will save you from drowning in the event of cold water shock.  “If you’ve ever been in cold water, and I have, it becomes very difficult to swim.  Your body is cold, you’re shivering, you may start hyperventilating.  The life jackets will help.” 

The Commission passed the new, statewide regulation earlier this fall.  It will be in effect annually during the colder months. 

The Fish & Boat Commission has also approved a mentored youth fishing pilot program, which will be rolled out in the southeast region this coming March – the weekend before the regional trout season opens.  Levis says details on which waters will be involved, and how to register, are still being finalized.

PA Bans Gas Chambers for Dogs, Cats

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Pennsylvania has become the 20th state to ban the use of gas chambers to put down shelter animals.  It’s named “Daniel’s Law,” after a resilient beagle that spent 15-minutes inside an Alabama shelter’s gas chamber, only to walk out with his tail wagging.  “Daniel” now has a new family, and is said to be doing well. 

“Quite frankly, we need to solve the problem of why we have so many healthy and adoptable animals that need to find homes first.  But we’ve considered, for a very long time, euthanasia by injection as the only acceptable and humane means of euthanasia at animal shelters,” President & CEO of the American Humane Association Robin Ganzert tells Radio PA. 

She lauds Pennsylvania’s overhauled Animal Destruction Method Authorization Act.  It bans the gassing of dogs & cats, ensures injections are given by licensed technicians and requires groups to disclose the specifics of their euthanasia method. 

The bill passed both chambers of the General Assembly with bipartisan support, and  Governor Tom Corbett signed it this week.  Pennsylvania reportedly had only three rural shelters still using carbon-monoxide.

RadioPA Roundtable

Radio PA Roundtable 10.26.12

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On this week’s Radio PA Roundtable, Brad Christman and Matt Paul provide details on the approach of “Frankenstorm,” a massive weather system that seems headed for the Keystone State in the early part of next week. Components include Hurricane Sandy from the south, an early winter system from the west and arctic air from the north. Included in the program: information about state preparations and tips for riding out the storm at home. We also bring you portions of the debate between the state Attorney General candidates and profile the Republican running for state Treasurer (check back next week for a profile on Democratic incumbent Rob McCord).

Radio PA Roundtable is a 30-minute program featuring in-depth reporting on the top news stories of the week.

Click the audio player below to hear the full broadcast:

[audio:https://s3.amazonaws.com/witfaudio/radiopa/Roundtable10-26-12.mp3]

Latest Forecast Tracks Bring Sandy to Pennsylvania on Tuesday & Wednesday

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The effects of Hurricane Sandy may reach Pennsylvania as early as Sunday, but according to the National Hurricane Center the storm itself is expected to come ashore near the New Jersey-Delaware border and then track directly over Pennsylvania late Tuesday and into Wednesday.

The main concern is that the tropical storm could collide with a westward-moving early winter system and park itself over the region for days, bringing heavy rains, winds and possibly snow in higher elevations. Officials are urging everyone in the path of Sandy to use their time wisely this weekend, preparing emergency kits with at least three days of drinking water and other necessities, as well as clearing storm drains and spouting, which may be clogged with fallen leaves.

A spokesperson for the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency says this potential “superstorm” could bring prolonged power outages that may last several days.

Gov. Signs Scores of Bills

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Lawmakers’ late session flurry of activity is yielding dozens of new laws, as Governor Tom Corbett signed nearly 50 of them on Wednesday.  Here’s just a small sampling:

One will limit the number of hours a child performer can work, and defines reality TV, to make sure those children are protected just like they would be on a movie set.

Another will authorize local governments to create “land banks” to combat blighted and abandoned properties.

A series of bills will help farmers move their larger equipment safely. 

Veterans will now receive a special designation on their Pennsylvania driver’s licenses.

Small-scale beekeepers will be exempt from costly regulations that were threatening the hobby.

A Veterans Trust Fund will be established, funded in party by new “Honoring Our Veterans” license plates. 

Corbett was also signing a series of law-enforcement bills on Thursday morning.  They include the second half of Pennsylvania’s Justice Reinvestment initiative, and a new offense for gang recruitment.