NEW BETHLEHEM (RVO) – Residents of the Redbank Valley area and New Bethlehem, PA experienced an unexpected power outage on January 20th, 2024, starting at 4:30 am. The disruption, caused by a downed power line, affected approximately 3,000 customers served by Penelec and West Penn Power, both subsidiaries of First Energy. Fortunately, the dedicated teams from FirstEnergy were quick to respond, and the issue was successfully resolved by 11:00 am.

RedbankValley.org took the initiative to promptly inform the community by being the first to post the news on Facebook at approximately 5:00 AM, ensuring that residents were quickly aware of the ongoing power outage in the Redbank Valley area and New Bethlehem, PA.

RedbankValley.org, a local community platform, reached out to FirstEnergy’s Media Relations office to obtain detailed information about the power outage. 

The incident, triggered by a downed power line, left many residents without electricity during the early hours of the morning. The affected power companies, Penelec and West Penn Power, mobilized their teams to address the issue. FirstEnergy’s proficient response teams worked diligently to locate the source of the problem and implement a solution.

By strategically rerouting power around the damaged line, FirstEnergy managed to restore electricity to some customers as early as 8:00 am, with the majority of affected areas regaining power by 10:00 am. The final resolution occurred at 11:00 am when all 3,000 customers affected by the outage had their power restored. The efficient handling of the power outage was a testament to the preparedness and responsiveness of FirstEnergy’s teams.

During the outage, with temperatures hovering around 10 degrees Fahrenheit, residents faced the challenge of staying warm. In response, the New Bethlehem Fire Company opened a warming center at the fire hall in New Bethlehem, providing a refuge for those left without heat. The center offered a crucial respite for residents to escape the harsh cold conditions.

FirstEnergy customers have multiple channels through which they can report power outages. These include:

1. Report an outage online: Customers can visit the FirstEnergy website to report an outage.
2. Call 888-LIGHTSS (888-544-4877): A dedicated hotline is available for customers to report power outages and seek assistance.
3. Report via text message: By texting OUT to 544487, customers can report an outage via text message. To register for this service, individuals can text REG to 544487. (Message and data rates may apply.
4. 24/7 Power Center map: Customers can view and report power outages through the 24/7 Power Center map, providing real-time information on the status of the power grid.
5. Additionally, customers with communication disabilities can report outages using the appropriate TTY/TDD relay service. An online form and text message service are also available for their convenience.

The incident serves as  reminder of the importance of having reliable channels for reporting power outages and the critical role played by responsive energy providers in swiftly resolving such disruptions. The collaboration between affected customers and FirstEnergy, along with transparent communication through RedbankValley.org, highlights the effectiveness of a coordinated response in minimizing the impact of unexpected events on the community’s daily lives. The establishment of a warming center by the New Bethlehem Fire Company further emphasizes the community’s resilience during challenging circumstances.

This outage also serves as a reminder to the community to be ready for power outages. RedbankValley.org encourages the community to review FirstEnergy’s tips for preparing for power outages. FirstEnergy also provides information about how they recover from outages.

RedbankValley.org and the community express their sincere gratitude to First Energy’s teams for their hard work and dedication, especially in the face of cold temperatures, ensuring the swift resolution of the power outage and the well-being of the residents.

Featured Photo by Nikola Johnny Mirkovic on Unsplash