June marks the start of Hurricane Season but preparation is a year-round effort for our teams.
How does PSE&G prepare before a hurricane?
We maintain dozens of operations sites around the state that help keep personnel and materials ready both on blue-sky days as well as when bad weather is in the forecast. When we know severe weather is coming, we prepare by adding extra utility and tree crews, damage assessors and support staff.
We also complete system and logistics checks so that critical materials like poles, transformers, wire and fuel are stocked and ready. Our call center is fully staffed to handle increased call volume and additional appliance service technicians are scheduled to respond to increased customer needs during and after a storm.
Paul Toscarelli, our vice president of Electric Operations, said that this level of readiness is the result of continuous planning and years of investment in our electric system infrastructure.
“Storms can happen at any time. Being ready is one of the most important ways we protect and care for our communities. If a storm is coming, our aim is to have crews embedded in the communities across our service territory to safely restore power as quickly as we can.”
-Paul Toscarelli, VP of Electric Operations
Preparing for hurricanes also means monitoring flood risks that can affect both electric and gas infrastructure.
“Storms like hurricanes can cause flooding and infrastructure damage that could disrupt the gas systems customers rely on for hot water and cooking,” said Brian Clark, our senior vice president of Gas Operations. “Flooding also creates serious safety risks when it impacts gas meters, boilers, furnaces, water heaters or electrical equipment. Safety is always our top value. Because damage may not always be visible, if you suspect your equipment was exposed to floodwaters, contact us and we will inspect it at no cost.”
Over the last decade, we’ve invested $30 billion into our gas and electric infrastructure, with nearly 75% of our investments dedicated to boosting reliability and resiliency. The impact of those investments can be seen in how the system performs during major storms. For example, thousands of customers maintained their gas service or were restored more quickly during Tropical Storm Ida in 2021 than during previous storms.
These improvements are part of an ongoing effort to strengthen the system that our 2.4 million electric customers and 1.9 million gas customers rely on every day. They are also critical to both withstanding storms and restoring service as quicky as possible when disruptions occur.
How does mutual aid support restoration efforts?
We are also part of a mutual aid network of utilities across North America. That means that utilities like ours come together to share workers and support each other during major storms and emergencies.
That support goes both ways. In 2024, we deployed approximately 250 lineworkers, safety professionals, mechanics and logistical support personnel to provide mutual aid to Southern Company in Georgia and Duke Energy in Florida as they managed the restoration of utility infrastructure damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
We’ve also benefited from mutual aid when New Jersey faced major storms. After Superstorm Sandy, utilities from as far away as New Mexico, Florida and the Province of Quebec provided 4,500 lineworkers and support personal during our time of need.
This mutual aid network is essential to making sure we can get restore power safely and as quickly as possible. It is also an important part of how we live up to our “Public Service” name and care for our customers and communities.
How can you prepare for hurricanes?
While our teams work year-round to prepare for hurricane season, there are several simple steps you can take now to be prepared at home if severe weather strikes:
- Creating an emergency kit including a battery-powered radio, alarm clock, flashlights, batteries, bottled water and nonperishable food. For more information, see recommendations from the American Red Cross.
- Preparing for power outages by charging phones, tablets, power backups and other mobile devices. If you have a gas-powered backup generator, learn to use it safely.
- Registering life-sustaining equipment needs. If you or a loved one relies on electricity to operate life-sustaining equipment, it is critical to inform us before a storm by completing the Critical Care Application. Visit pseg.com/Life to learn more.
- Preparing for wind or flooding before a storm by securing outside objects like garbage cans and patio furniture and turning off power to natural gas appliances and supply valves. For more flood safety tips visit www.pseg.com/Flood.
- Staying connected with PSE&G by signing up for MyAlerts to receive email or text alerts. Report an outage by calling 1-800-436-PSEG (7734) or texting “OUT” to 4PSEG (47734).
And one reminder we cannot emphasize enough: never operate a generator indoors. Carbon monoxide is invisible, odorless and can become deadly in minutes—even in garages or sheds with the doors open. You should also never run flood-damaged appliances or equipment as water can corrode internal components, potentially leading to electrical hazards, carbon monoxide leaks and other health risks.
Caring for our communities, together
Our crews, customer support teams and mutual aid partners are ready to be there when it matters most. And when you take steps to prepare at home, it strengthens that shared resilience.
As hurricane season kicks off, we’re focused on keeping our communities safe, supported and ready for whatever comes next.
Visit pseg.com/StormSafety for tips and resources to help you be prepared before, during and after a storm.
