Utility Asks Customers to Prepare for Possible Outages

NEWARK, Del. - Delmarva Power is closely monitoring the development of a storm system that is expected to hit the Mid-Atlantic region late Saturday and Sunday. The National Weather Service is predicting rain, snow and high winds.

Storms can bring down tree limbs onto power lines, causing power outages. Delmarva Power customers should report power outages or natural gas emergencies to Delmarva Power by calling:

Delaware: New Castle County: 1-800-898-8042; Kent and Sussex counties: 1-800-898-8045

Maryland: Cecil and Harford counties: 1-800-898-8042; Eastern Shore: 1-800-898-8045

Natural gas emergency in New Castle County, Del.: 302-454-0317

Delmarva Power urges its customers to prepare for potential power outages and act to ensure their safety. Here are some tips:

• Have adequate prescription medicines or infant supplies on hand.
• If you or someone you know uses life-support equipment that requires electricity to operate, identify a location with emergency power capabilities and make plans to go there during a prolonged outage.
• Assemble an emergency "storm kit." Include a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, a first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, special needs items, an insulated cooler, and a list of important and emergency phone numbers.
• Keep at least a three-day supply of non-perishable foods and bottled water and have a hand-operated can opener available.
• Have a telephone with a cord or cell phone to use as a backup. Cordless telephones require electricity to operate, and will not work if there is an outage.
• Protect your electronic equipment. Unplug sensitive electronics or plug computers and other sensitive equipment into surge suppressors, and consider a UPS (uninterruptible power supply) for temporary battery backup power.
• Turn off power to flood-prone basement appliances, if it is safe to do so. However, if you have an electrically operated sump pump, you should not turn off your power.

Safety Tips

• Stay away from downed wires.
• Tune to local news broadcasts for the latest weather and emergency information.
• Follow the advice of your local emergency management officials.
• Take cover if necessary.

For more information and updates, visit www.delmarva.com and follow Delmarva Power at www.twitter.com/DelmarvaConnect

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Delmarva Power, a public utility owned by Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), provides safe and reliable energy to more than 500,000 electric delivery customers in Delaware and Maryland and over 124,000 natural gas delivery customers in northern Delaware .