Once the storm passes, our work begins.
But restoring your power isn’t just about flipping a switch — it’s a carefully coordinated process built around safety, customer care and restoring service as quickly as possible. As soon as conditions are safe, our employees mobilize and work around the clock to bring our customers back online.
The goal is simple: Restore service to the greatest number of customers in the shortest amount of time – without compromising safety.
How does PSE&G restore power after a storm?
Our teams work 24/7, and during major storms we expand our workforce with crews from other utilities across the country. You may see trucks from out of state or companies you don’t recognize. They’re here for one reason: to help restore power safely and quickly.
We follow a structured safety-first restoration plan. While the steps below outline the general order of our operations, we work across all categories simultaneously whenever resources permit.
Critical public safety
Public safety comes first. We respond as quickly as possible to safely assess downed wires, gas leaks and other hazards that threaten life and property. If you see downed wires or broken poles, do not try to move them yourself or drive over them. Stay at least 30 feet away and report them to us immediately by calling 1-800-436-PSEG (7734).
High-voltage transmission and substations
Transmission lines and substations are the backbone of our system. Without them, our communities can’t receive power. Repairs here restore electricity to large areas at once.
Critical infrastructure
We prioritize restoration at facilities that protect and serve the community, including hospitals, police and fire departments, water pumping stations and communications providers (TV, radio and telephone).
Restoring the greatest number of customers
We focus on repairs that bring the largest number of customers back online. A repair that restores 1,000 customers takes priority over one that restores 100.
Neighborhoods and branch lines
After restoring major transmission lines, substations, emergency services and other critical infrastructure, we begin restoring branch lines that serve neighborhoods and groups of homes or businesses. At this stage of the restoration process, we prioritize customers who rely on life-sustaining equipment.
If you or a member of your household depends on electricity to operate life-sustaining equipment, such as a respirator or dialysis machine, it’s important to let us know so we can identify your account and provide the support available to you. Visit pseg.com/Life to learn more.
Individual homes and businesses
Finally, we address isolated and individual outages. We work until every customer is restored.
Why do some power outages take longer to restore than others?
Large storms create big obstacles. Some of the issues our crews face include:
- High winds that make bucket-truck work unsafe
- Flooded, icy or blocked roads
- Trees and debris that must be cleared before repairs begin
- Limited access to backyard poles
- Outages that go unreported
- Heavy equipment that must be carried in by hand
Why does reporting your outage matter?
It is extremely important to let us know if you are experiencing an outage, even if your neighbor has already called. Our system prioritizes large clusters of outages, and if we don’t know your power is out, it may take longer to restore service.
To report a power outage text OUT to 4PSEG (47734), report it online through your My Account portal, notify us via our PSE&G mobile app or call 1-800-436-PSEG (7734).
You can also check on the status of any power outages by visiting our Outage Map.
No matter what the weather brings, our crews are always Jersey Ready for anything – before, during and after the storm.
