Thousands of Met-Ed customers in Adams County, Pennsylvania, remain without power on Tuesday amid a life-threatening extreme heat warning that could push heat index values up to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
Newsweek reached out to Met-Ed by phone for comment.
Why It Matters
A dangerous heat wave has moved across the central and northeastern U.S. this week, prompting National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologists in many states to warn of life-threatening temperatures. People are urged to stay cool, but that’s proving difficult for thousands in Adams County who have been without power since Sunday night, WGAL reported.
What To Know
The heat index, or feels-like temperature, is expected to surge into the triple digits on Tuesday in southern Pennsylvania, including Adams County, which is home to more than 100,000 people.
As of Tuesday afternoon, more than 7,000 people in Adams County remain without power after a Met-Ed power supply outage on Sunday night. Then, on Monday, a fire broke out at a Met-Ed substation. The repairs could take until mid-week, WGAL reported.
“We know that it is very hot today and are committed to restoring power as quickly and safely as possible,” Met-Ed said in a statement, according to WGAL.
In the meantime, Met-Ed has set up several sites to provide water and ice to customers. They are at 44 Natural Springs Road in Gettysburg, 455 Eisenhower Drive in Hanover and 801 Baltimore Street in Hanover.
The extreme heat warning is expected to last until mid-week, with the one in place for Adams County set to expire at 8 p.m. Wednesday.
What People Are Saying
Adams Electric Cooperative, in a Facebook post on Tuesday morning: “We are asking all members to reduce their energy use over the next several days. The extreme heat is impacting our ability to fully maintain power flow by bypassing this Met-Ed equipment failure. An extended power outage is possible if the energy loads get too high. Adjust your thermostats to a higher but manageable level, and hold off on running your major appliances until after 10 p.m.”
NWS State College, in an extreme heat warning: “Drink plenty of fluids, stay out of the sun, and stay in an air-conditioned room. Check up on relatives and neighbors, and provide pets with adequate water and shelter from the sun. Extreme Heat can be life-threatening among at-risk populations, such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions. In addition to the daytime heat, overnight low temperatures will also be very warm and oppressively muggy.”
What Happens Next
Temperatures will begin to trend downward for the Adams County forecast area beginning on Wednesday.
The post Thousands Without Power in One State Amid Life-Threatening Heat appeared first on Newsweek.
