WASHINGTON, D.C. - As Pepco works around the clock to restore power to the last customers who remain without power from last Friday's derecho, it is also carefully monitoring the weekend forecast which is calling for more severe storms.  Amidst record-breaking heat, the forecast is calling for more severe storms on Saturday and Sunday which may include damaging winds, lightning and hail. 

Customers should be prepared for this weather and power outages that it may cause.  The tree canopy is already weakened from last week's storm and is vulnerable to further damage that may be caused by additional wind and rain.  Pepco is fully prepared to respond to the potential impacts of these forecasted weather conditions, and has a full complement of utility and contractor line crews and tree crews, as well as damage assessors on hand to attack any outages. In addition, Pepco retained mutual assistance crews from the past week's restoration effort in anticipation of this weekend's forecasted weather. These crews are ready to assist in another restoration effort should it be required. 

If the Washington Metropolitan area does get hit with these potential storms, work will continue with state and local emergency management agencies, if they are activated, to address concerns and priorities of the respective communities.  "Our personnel, including both Pepco and mutual assistance crews, have been working tirelessly for the last week in extreme, and often times dangerous conditions," said Thomas H. Graham, President, Pepco. "However, if called upon, we are ready to respond to another storm event.  We appreciate our customers' patience and tolerance during these challenging times."   
 

Pepco, a subsidiary of Pepco Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: POM), delivers safe, reliable and affordable electric service to more than 788,000 customers in Maryland and the District of Columbia.