BGE Prepared to Support Customers Ahead of This Weekend’s Winter Weather

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

BGE 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

We encourage customers to take simple steps now to stay safe and comfortable if the storm affects power in their area:

• Keep bottled water and easy-to-prepare, non-perishable 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 kit with a battery-powered radio, flashlight, first-aid supplies, blankets, extra batteries, medications, and important 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:
BGE asks all customers to report their outage in any of the following ways:

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

Please keep your natural gas appliance vents clear:

• Identify the location of outside utility equipment such as natural gas or electric meters and gas regulators that could be covered in snow and may be susceptible to damage from snow shovels and mechanized snow removal equipment.
• Know where your natural gas appliances vent to the exterior and ensure the vents are clear. If these vents become blocked by snow or ice, exhaust may back up resulting in carbon monoxide build-up or a release of natural gas.
• Use a broom or brush to gently clear the area around the meter of anything blocking it, including debris, ice and snow.
• Do not melt ice or snow on meters with a heat source, and do not chip or scrape ice. These methods can damage or break the meter.
• It is also important to remove icicles that hang over the meter and can drip freezing water that may damage equipment.
• If you smell natural gas or suspect a gas leak, get to a safe location (at least 100 feet away) and immediately call 9-1-1 or BGE at 1-877-778-7798.

Restoration priorities

BGE'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.

Watch this video for an overview of BGE's storm restoration process.

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 BGE at 877-778-2222 to report fallen electrical lines and power outages.

BGE customers are encouraged to visit BGE.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 MYBGE (69243), to enroll in our two-way texting program to report outages and check the status of an outage.