Watch CBS News

Pepco Predicts Multi-Day Outage Situation

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Pepco is warning utility customers that Hurricane Irene could bring extremely destructive conditions and that restoring service could take several days.

Pepco Holdings CEO Joseph M. Rigby said in an email on Friday that Irene has the possibility of causing significant damage to the company's electrical infrastructure.

Rigby said assessing damage and estimating when customers will be restored could take as long as 24 hours after the heart of the storm has moved from the area.

Pepco will restore power by targeting wires serving critical infrastructure, such as hospitals, fire stations, and police stations, and those serving the greatest number of customers.

Pepco has mobilized nearly 1,000 personnel who are already in place and is continuing to request mutual assistance help from utility partners located in areas unaffected by Irene.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.