As forecasters predict several days of dangerous heat across Western Pennsylvania, Duquesne Light Co. is urging customers to prepare for the possibility of power outages while taking steps to protect themselves from potentially life-threatening temperatures.
The utility said Monday it is increasing staffing levels in anticipation of the heat wave, which is expected to last through at least Friday. Temperatures are forecast to climb into the mid-90s, with heat index values exceeding 100 degrees.
While severe thunderstorms often cause widespread outages during the summer, prolonged periods of extreme heat can also strain the electrical grid as air conditioning use increases, leading to localized service interruptions.
Even without severe weather, sustained high temperatures can place additional demand on the electric system, the company said in a news release announcing its preparedness efforts.
Matt Brudy, a National Weather Service meteorologist based in Pittsburgh, said normal high temperatures for the area at this time of year are in the low 80s.
“So if we have highs in the low to mid-90s, we’re 10 to 15 degrees above normal during this period,” he said, referring to the next four or five days.
Compounding the problem, Brudy said, is that temperatures usually drop to the low 60s at night, which allows people to cool off a bit, but that won’t be the case this week. Instead, the temperatures aren’t expected to dip much lower than the mid-70s.
“Normally, people can get relief at night,” he said. “But it’s still going to be very warm overnight, so you’re not getting that relief.”
Brudy said a ridge of high pressure extending from the south to well north of Pittsburgh and even into Canada is to blame for the high heat, the worst of which is expected to occur Tuesday and Wednesday. He said the ridge is expected to break down as the weekend arrives, and that could allow for showers and storms to come into the area and the temperatures to drop.
So far this year, the thermometer hasn’t climbed to the 90-degree mark; the high of 89 was reached both on June 11 and May 18
Duquesne Light said it has increased the number of personnel available to respond should outages occur and encouraged customers to prepare before temperatures reach their peak.
The utility recommends charging cell phones and other electronic devices in advance and keeping an emergency preparedness kit stocked with bottled water, nonperishable food, first-aid supplies, flashlights and a battery-powered radio.
Customers also are encouraged to sign up for outage notifications through their Duquesne Light online accounts so they can receive updates if service is interrupted.
If an outage occurs, the company advises customers to keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. A fully stocked freezer can keep food frozen for between 36 and 48 hours if the door remains shut.
Residents also should rely on flashlights or battery-powered lanterns rather than candles for emergency lighting to reduce the risk of fire.
Because the forecast calls for several consecutive days of dangerous heat, Duquesne Light is encouraging customers to seek air-conditioned locations if their homes become too warm. The city of Pittsburgh has opened five cooling centers that will operate through Thursday to provide relief for residents. People who live outside the city are encouraged to contact their municipalities for information about local cooling centers or other heat-relief resources.
The company also urged customers to check on elderly relatives, neighbors and friends who live alone, noting that older adults are especially vulnerable during periods of extreme heat. Anyone experiencing a medical emergency should call 911 immediately.
Customers who experience power outages can report them through Duquesne Light’s website, the company’s free mobile app or by calling 888-393-7100 if internet service is unavailable.
The National Weather Service advises people to limit strenuous outdoor activities during periods of extreme heat, drink plenty of water, wear lightweight clothing and never leave children or pets unattended in parked vehicles, where temperatures can rise to deadly levels within minutes
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