Significant Heavy Rain Could Topple Trees Causing Power Outages

WASHINGTON - Today Pepco announced that it is closely watching the development of another major weather event that could impact t he entire Washington Metropolitan Area. An extensive weather system will sweep across the Pepco Region starting today and continuing through Friday. During a 36-hour period, well over 2 inches of continuous heavy rainfall is forecasted. Heavy tree limbs and branches already weakened and saturated by previous rain storms earlier this week are especially susceptible to fall onto power lines and equipment causing power outages. Pepco employees are prepared to work in their secondary roles during significant weather events, with expanded coverage of line crews and contractors working around the clock to support the restoration process.

To report Power Outages and Downed Wires Call 1-877-737-2662.

If calling to report a power outage, a non-life threatening situation, customers are asked to call 1-877-Pepco-62 (1-877-737-2662) and press one for the automated system.

If reporting a life threatening emergency situation, customers are asked to please call 1-877-Pepco-62 (1-877-737-2662) and press two. The option for reporting a life threatening emergency should NOT be used to report outages or non life threatening situations, as it will prevent customers with actual emergencies from getting through.

Customers also are asked to call Pepco to report outages - don't assume that your neighbors have called or that Pepco knows you are out of service. Pepco's automated outage reporting system is the most effective way to report an outage because it immediately feeds information into computers that rapidly identify problem areas and dispatch repair crews, so that power can be restored as quickly as possible.

Power Restoration Process - How Pepco Restores Power

Once the storm subsides, crews will survey the electric system to assess the damage. As with plowing roads, it is not possible to clear side streets before the main roads are cleared. To that end, in the event our system is damaged by severe weather, Pepco repairs equipment that will restore the largest numbers of customers first. Generally, the power restoration sequence is as follows:

• Downed live wires or potentially life-threatening situations and public health and safety facilities without power
• Transmission lines serving thousands of customers
• Substation equipment
• Main distribution lines serving large numbers of customers
• Secondary lines serving neighborhoods
• Service lines to individual homes and businesses

Pepco urges customers to stay safe and be prepared. Here are some tips:

• Pepco urges everyone, to please stay away from downed wires and report them immediately.

• Assemble an emergency storm kit. Include a battery-powered radio or television, flashlight, first-aid kit, battery-powered or windup clock, extra batteries, non-perishable food, manual can opener, bottled water, any necessary medications and a list of emergency phone numbers.
• Maintain a supply of extra blankets.
• Ensure that all household members have a warm coat, gloves, hat and water-resistant boots.
• Make sure your home has a telephone with a cord or cell phone to use as a backup. Cordless telephones require electricity to operate, and won't work if there is an outage.
• Identify a place for emergency shelter in case of an extended outage. It is important that customers with special needs or their caregivers take responsibility to make arrangements ahead of time to prepare for potentially long-lasting service interruptions.

Additional information may be found at www.pepco.com.

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Pepco, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), delivers safe, reliable and affordable electric service to more than 778,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.