BGE prepares for oncoming storm

BALTIMORE - BGE is gearing up for the storm. With the potential for heavy, wet snow and strong winds there could be substantial power outages.

So, BGE has requested help from 500 out-of-state workers to help in the storm's aftermath. In addition to crews working to restore service, officials say there will be people dedicated to help trim trees and clear roads so that BGE trucks can get where they need to be.

In addition to the extra crews, BGE will also have extra supplies.

From salt and sand to replacement lines, poles and transformers, BGE is stacking up on everything. They are also stocking up on concrete for the snowstorm that is forecast to bring several inches of snow to central Maryland.

Notable March snowstorms (click for current conditions)
• March 1, 2009 BWI had a seasonal total of 3.3 inches at the end of Feb., then was hit with 4.7 inches total inches on March 1-2. The amount of snow was a record for the date. • Superstorm of '93 It's the most famous storm in recent history -- a storm that brought a range of 1-3 feet of the white stuff to central Maryland and record low pressure to BWI. Other than the big storm, it was a quiet winter season. The storm doubled the seasonal amount in the area, and the storm ranked 5th on the Northeast Snowfall Impact Scale. The storm sent snow to areas from Florida to Maine. • Ash Wednesday 1962 Falling 51 years ago on March 6-8. The storm dropped a daily record of 10 inches on Baltimore’s BWI on March 6. The storm also brougth 60 mph winds and 25 ft waves hitting Ocean City. • Palm Sunday Blizzard of 1942 The storm holds the rank as the sixth all time big snow storm in the history of the Baltimore area, dating back to 1880. It dropped more than 20 inches of snow across five counties. The first day of the storm broke the all time inch count for a snow storm in March.
	Be prepared - Download Storm Shield It's an app that's like a NOAA Emergency Weather Radio for your iPhone and Android. Text WMAR to 46988 to download. » MORE

Officials with BGE say power outages are expected as the forecasts of the storm labeled Saturn have worsened in some cases. Those that lose power in areas with high accumulation of snow should expect to be without power for an extended period of time.

"As early as yesterday we started to take materials from this warehouse and put them at all of our service areas across the service territory," said BGE spokesperson Rachael Lighty. "So, we have extra supplies for all of our crews prior to the storm hitting."

Lighty said BGE's main warehouse opened early Tuesday and will remain open 24 hours each day so that it can remain fully-stocked to supply crews in the field with what they need.

In addition to the 500 sets of out-of-state hands, BGE has premobilized about 1,200 of their own employees in advance of Saturn's arrival.

"So, we have about 1,700 people who are premobilized and ready prior to the storm hitting us," Lighty said. "...Heavy, wet snow can coat our electric distribution equipment, including our wires, but also trees and tree limbs causing those tree limbs to come down onto power lines."

If you have to report a power outage, you can now use your mobile phone to do so. Just call the company's automated phone system at 877-778-2222.

* ABC2 News' Roosevelt Leftwich contributed to this report.

Read more: http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/region/baltimore_city/crews-preparing-for-what-could-most-significant-winter-storm-since-snowmageddon#ixzz2MgoHZbhh