Duquesne Light urges public to prepare for power outages during high heat, risk of strong storms

Amid extreme heat and the risk of strong storms, Duquesne Light is putting out reminders about steps to stay safe if the power goes out.

Severe storms with risk of hail and damaging winds could impact the Pittsburgh region between Wednesday evening and Friday, and at the same time, heat index values may exceed 100 degrees.

These conditions pose a risk for downed trees, poles and wires -- which increases the chance for power outages.

DLC has increased staffing to respond to any service disruptions. But they also encourage the public to take steps to prepare, too.

The utility company’s recommendations include:

• Fully charging cell phones and other necessary electronics ahead of time.
• Maintaining an emergency preparedness kit, including water bottles, nonperishable food, first-aid supplies, flashlights and a battery-powered radio.
• With higher temperatures, drinking plenty of water and having ice handy for cooling packs.    
• Signing up for outage notifications through your DLC account.  

In the event of an outage:

• Avoid opening refrigerator and freezer doors. Food will stay frozen in a fully loaded freezer for 36-48 hours if the door remains closed.
• Use flashlights or battery-operated lanterns for emergency lighting. Avoid using candles or other potential fire hazards.
• Seek a location with air conditioning if possible. The city of Pittsburgh has opened five cooling centers today, Sept. 2, through Thursday, Sept. 3. Residents outside of city limits can contact their local municipality for information on nearby cooling centers.

Anyone with emergency medical issues that could be impacted by an outage should call 911. Outages can be reported on Duquesne Light’s website or by calling 888-393-7100.

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