Press Release

PUC: Storm Recovery Moving Ahead, But Work Remains

Published on 5/2/2025

Filed under: Electric

Power Back for Many, But 130K+ Still Out After Historic SWPA Storms

HARRISBURG – The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission (PUC) today noted the significant progress made by electric utilities across the Commonwealth in restoring service to hundreds of thousands of customers following a powerful and fast-moving storm system earlier this week, while continuing to emphasize the need for sustained restoration efforts and clear communication with consumers.

At the height of the storm Tuesday evening, more than 557,000 electric customers were without service due to widespread damage to utility infrastructure – including downed wires, broken poles, fallen trees, and storm debris. As of midday Friday, the number of outages had been reduced to approximately 136,000 customers, reflecting a concerted effort by utilities and mutual aid crews to repair extensive storm-related damage and safely restore service.

“While there is still important work to be done, the progress made since Tuesday night is a credit to the dedicated crews working around the clock to assist impacted communities,” said PUC Chairman Steve DeFrank. “We continue to monitor these efforts closely and encourage utilities to use every available resource to complete restoration work and provide regular, accurate updates to families and businesses still without power.”

The hardest-hit region remains southwestern Pennsylvania, with Allegheny County accounting for more than half of the remaining outages. The top counties currently experiencing outages include:

• Allegheny
• Armstrong
• Indiana
• Westmoreland
• Washington
• Cambria
• Clearfield
• Centre
• Beaver
• Butler
  

Among the utilities continuing recovery operations:

• Duquesne Light Company is reporting just over 76,000 customers still without power, with a system-wide estimated time of restoration (ETR) of Tuesday, May 6. The company is working to provide more localized restoration estimates.
  
  
• FirstEnergy utilities are reporting a combined 48,000 customer outages, with ETRs ranging from tonight (Friday) at 11:00 p.m. to Monday afternoon, depending on the area.

This week’s storm ranks among the most significant weather events to impact the Pittsburgh area in recent decades. According to available Commission records, Duquesne Light has not experienced a storm of this magnitude since at least 1993, highlighting the rare and severe nature of the damage.

As with past major storms, the PUC is continuously communicating with the utilities involved and closely monitoring the completion of storm restoration work. At the completion of the restoration, the PUC would determine any additional actions.  

“The strength of our utility network lies not just in how we respond to today’s challenges, but in how we prepare for tomorrow’s,” Chairman DeFrank noted. “We are committed to learning from this event and working with all stakeholders to strengthen our energy systems in the face of increasingly unpredictable and intense weather.”

Stay Safe and Informed

The Commission reminds all Pennsylvanians to stay away from downed wires, use generators safely, and check on elderly or vulnerable neighbors who may be impacted by prolonged outages. Additional safety tips and information can be found on the PUC website.


About the PUC

The Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission balances the needs of consumers and utilities; ensures safe and reliable utility service at reasonable rates; protects the public interest; educates consumers to make independent and informed utility choices; furthers economic development; and fosters new technologies and competitive markets in an environmentally sound manner.

Visit the PUC’s website at puc.pa.gov for recent news releases and video of select proceedings. You can also follow us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube. Search for the “Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission” or “PA PUC” on your favorite social media channel for updates on utility issues and other helpful consumer information.

# # #

Contact:

• Nils Hagen-Frederiksen
  Press Secretary
  717-418-2701
  nhagen-fre@pa.gov