During Monday’s storm PPL and Me- Ed reported power outages throughout our region. And with another storm on the way we could see a lot more of that.
Snow blanketing the trees makes for a beautiful winter scene but, it can be heavy. Causing those branches to break and land on power lines below. Jim Nulton with PPL says the electrical wires are designed for wind and snow. He says it’s the trees that are usually the root of the problem.
“The trees are really the issue which is why we have a vegetation management program,” says Jim Nulton, PPL Electric Utilities
With another storm on the way people are looking for solutions to power outages. H.B. McClure in Harrisburg getting calls for people wanting to invest in electric generators.
“ Right now we’ve had more calls coming in because the heavy snow could take some branches down and knock power lines out people are trying to get prepared,” says Dominic Bailor, H.B. McClure Company
A generator can run you on average between $6,000 and $10,000. But, the investment can be worth it in the event of a prolonged power outage.
“ You can have the lights on and the garage works and your sump pump still works if you`re taking on a lot of water . Once this snow melts we`re going to have water coming in so it`s good to have your sump pump working,” says Bailor
In the meantime, PPL says they’re ready for the next storm.
“ We spend the whole year looking for the next storm. We have to be able to deliver energy to our customers in all types of weather,” says Nulton