For Immediate Release
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Delmarva Power Encourages Customers to Review Plans, Check Supplies
NEWARK, Del. - This week marks the start of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season and Delmarva Power reminds customers that it's time to prepare for the possibility that destructive tropical weather could hit the region any time between now and November 30. This year, the National Weather Service predicts a near normal period with nine to 14 named storms, four to seven of them becoming hurricanes, and one to three will be major hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.
"The damage created by the storms that hit the U.S. mainland last year showed their destructive force and impact. This upcoming year may not be any different," said Hallie M. Reese, Vice President, Safety and Strategic Services. "We strongly encourage customers to take steps and prepare for any emergency." She said that a few basic steps taken now will pay off when bad weather hits, not only during hurricanes but during severe summer thunderstorms.
Delmarva Power recommends the following important steps:
Delmarva Power employees regularly prepare for the possibility of power outages and frequently participate in emergency drills. The company maintains supplies of essential equipment, such as poles, wires and transformers, and stays in contact with utilities throughout the region to quickly arrange mutual assistance in case of a natural disaster.
Delmarva Power has upgraded its Web site for customers to view outage information across the company's service territory. To see the outage maps, or for more information on preparing for power outages, go to www.delmarva.com and click on Outages and Emergencies.
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Delmarva Power, a public utility owned by Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), provides safe and reliable energy to nearly 500,000 electric delivery customers in Delaware and Maryland and over 121,000 natural gas delivery customers in northern Delaware .