FirstEnergy Utility Crews Mobilize to Assist with Hurricane Michael Power Restoration Efforts

AKRON, Ohio, Oct. 11, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- FirstEnergy Corp.'s (NYSE: FE) utilities have sent about 125 linemen, electrical contractors and support personnel to help restore power following Hurricane Michael, a powerful storm that caused destruction in the Florida panhandle when it made landfall and continues to leave damage behind as it moves northeast across the southeastern U.S.

This assistance is part of the company's long-standing tradition of assisting other utility companies with service restoration following large-scale weather events.  Hurricane Michael has left nearly a million people without power across the south since Wednesday.

Workers assisting with the storm came from Ohio Edison, Toledo Edison and The Illuminating Company in Ohio, and Mon Power in West Virginia.  Due to extensive damage throughout the region, assessment and planning for repair are still taking place.  Additional FirstEnergy crews are prepared to respond if their assistance is requested.  Jersey Central Power & Light and Metropolitan Edison crews will remain in their service areas for now in case remnants of the hurricane cause damage in New Jersey or eastern Pennsylvania.  

"FirstEnergy employees are committed to helping with the massive power restoration effort across the region in the wake of this damaging storm," said Samuel L. Belcher, senior vice president and president of FirstEnergy Utilities.  "At the same time, we continue to monitor this storm for its potential impact on our utilities as it tracks northeast to the east coast and out to sea, and we are confident we have the personnel in place to maintain reliable operations for our customers."

FirstEnergy is a member of multiple electric utility mutual-assistance groups that work cooperatively to restore service to customers when a natural disaster causes large-scale power outages.  Mutual assistance allows utilities to pool their resources to help restore power to customers faster.  In the past, FirstEnergy and its employees have been honored by the Edison Electric Institute (EEI) with its Emergency Assistance Award for the mutual assistance the company has provided during winter and summer storms. 

FirstEnergy is dedicated to safety, reliability and operational excellence.  Its 10 electric distribution companies form one of the nation's largest investor-owned electric systems, serving customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. Visit FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com.  Follow FirstEnergy on Twitter @FirstEnergyCorp.

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SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.