AKRON, Ohio, March 12, 2026 — A severe windstorm is expected to move through FirstEnergy’s service area starting early Friday and lasting until early Saturday. The company is prepared to handle any power outages and reminds customers to take steps now to stay safe in case of potential outages.
FirstEnergy is closely watching the expected winds that could knock down trees and blow branches and debris onto power lines. According to current forecasts, the strongest winds are expected from Friday afternoon to early evening. The most severe conditions will affect Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company, and Toledo Edison in Ohio, as well as West Penn Power and Penn Power in Pennsylvania, where wind speeds could exceed 50 – 75 mph in some areas. Peak gusts ranging from 35 – 60 mph are also expected to impact Met‑Ed and Penelec in Pennsylvania, Mon Power and Potomac Edison in West Virginia and Maryland, and Jersey Central Power & Light in New Jersey.
Strong winds can make it more difficult for crews to restore power and may slow down restoration efforts. For safety reasons, crews cannot use bucket trucks when wind speeds are above 40 mph. Fallen trees and blocked roads can also delay crews as they travel to outage locations.
To manage the weather safely and efficiently, we have activated our around – the – clock incident command structure so that teams across our service area can coordinate restoration work, equipment needs, and field support as conditions change.
We are also in close contact with other utilities and outside contractors. In many areas, we are bringing in additional support ahead of the winds and mobilizing internal FirstEnergy and contractor crews, forestry personnel, damage assessors, hazard responders, and other support workers. This ensures that we have the people and resources needed to respond as soon as outages occur.
How We Restore Power After a Storm
FirstEnergy follows a formal restoration process to restore service as quickly and safely as possible:
- Clear hazards – such as downed power lines, trees, and blocked roads
- Repair high – voltage lines that supply electricity to local lines
- Restore power to critical public service facilities
- Address outages affecting the most customers
- Fix localized issues and restore power to individual customers
Customer Safety and Preparedness Tips
Customers can take simple actions to prepare and stay safe if an outage occurs:
- Secure loose outdoor items including garbage cans, furniture, and trampolines
- Charge phones and essential devices
- Keep flashlights, batteries, and a radio ready
- Store water if you rely on a well pump
- Have no – cook foods on hand
- Stay 30 feet away from downed power lines – call 911 immediately
- Avoid trees and utility poles in high winds
How to Report an Outage
If you lose power during the storm, report your outage by:
- Calling 1 – 888 – LIGHTSS (1 – 888 – 544 – 4877)
- Texting OUT to LIGHTS (544487)
- Clicking the “Outages” link on firstenergycorp.com
Get Outage Updates
- Text REG to 544487 to sign up for outage text alerts. Once signed up, text STAT to 544487 to get the latest update for your home.
- Log into your online account.
- View our outage map at firstenergycorp.com/outages.
FirstEnergy (NYSE: FE) is committed to integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence. Its electric distribution companies form one of the nation’s largest investor – owned electric systems, serving six million customers in Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland, and New York. The company’s transmission subsidiaries operate approximately 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid – Atlantic regions. Follow FirstEnergy online at www.firstenergycorp.com. Follow FirstEnergy on X: @FirstEnergyCorp.
SOURCE FirstEnergy Corp.