Gov. Tom Wolf and state officials are urging Pennsylvanians to pay close attention to weather forecasts and take steps to be ready for the first snowstorm of 2016, and one of the most significant widespread storms to impact the state in several years.

Gov. Wolf has declared a state of emergency to ensure state agencies can respond with resources as quickly as possible.

"We are urging Pennsylvanians to stay calm, but be prepared," Gov. Wolf said. "State agencies are preparing for the worst, tracking conditions in real time and collaborating on our response. Residents should prioritize their safety and heed all warnings from law enforcement and emergency officials."

Click Here for recommendations from the PA Emergency Management Agency, PennDOT, State Police and the Department of Health.

Visit Pennsylvania’s 511 travel information website (or download the app) to get road conditions, weather forecasts, incidents and now even the location of PennDOT snow plow trucks.  You can also follow the 511 site via Twitter for your region.

Follow Gov. Tom Wolf on Twitter for updates from state government.

Click Here for the latest forecasts and warnings from the National Weather Service.  Click Here for forecasts from AccuWeather.

NewsClips:

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Revised Forecast Means Lots More Snow For PA

Snow Totals Increased For Lehigh Valley

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Philly Water Dept.: Worried About Using Salt?  Smart Winter Deicing Tips

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PUC Offers Winter Storm Tips: Prepare, Report Outages, Consider Safety

As residents across Pennsylvania prepare for the first major winter storm of the season – Winter Storm Jonas – the Public Utility Commission reminded customers Thursday of what to do in the event of a power outage and using natural gas appliances.

Electric Power

“Preparation is essential, so take a few minutes before the storm hits to address some key items like making note of utility company hotlines, charging your cell phone and securing necessary food, medicine and other supplies,” said Chairman Gladys M. Brown.

Chairman Brown noted that there is an extensive amount of work currently going on behind the scenes to prepare for this storm.

The PUC is in close communication with utilities across the state and based on those reports, utilities are putting their storm response plans into motion; crews and equipment are being positioned for quick response to outages; and utilities are enhancing their communication with emergency management coordinators across the state.

The PUC will continue to monitor the situation and will stay in close contact with the Governor’s Office and the other state agencies involved in Pennsylvania’s coordinated storm response.

Pre-Storm tips:

-- Write down, print or save toll-free “outage reporting hotlines” to your cell phone – That’s the number you need to call if you lose power.  Click Here for electric company outage numbers.

-- Save the Internet address for your utility’s outage reporting system, which can provide an interactive picture of ongoing repair efforts.  Click Here for Internet addresses.

-- Check social media, like Facebook and Twitter, for utility updates and important storm-related information.

Note: While many utilities use social media to highlight important information, consumers should not use social media to report outages or share account information, addresses or other personal information. Instead, always call the official utility outage hotline.

Residents should also be aware that when electricity is lost, priority restoration is given to locations that can restore larger numbers of customers and high priority customers such as nursing homes, emergency shelters, emergency governmental services and hospitals.

If You Lose Power

Should you lose power during a storm, the PUC offers the following tips:

-- Call your utility. Do not assume that the utility already knows about your outage or that others in your neighborhood have already called.

-- Use a phone that does not require electricity to work. A cellular phone or corded phone will work. Remember a cordless phone won’t work without electricity.

-- Do NOT call 9-1-1 to report power outages. Those calls take dispatchers away from other emergencies and can also slow a storm response because you're not talking directly to the utility.

-- Turn off lights and electrical appliances except for the refrigerator and freezer. When power comes back on, it may come back with momentary "surges" or "spikes" that can damage equipment. After you turn the lights off, turn one lamp on so you will know when power is restored. Wait at least 15 minutes after power is restored before turning on other appliances.

-- Only use a flashlight or battery-operated lanterns for emergency lighting. Do not use candles or other potential fire hazards.

-- If you are going to use a generator, do not run it inside a home or garage. Also, connect the equipment you want to power directly to the outlets on the generator, not your home's electrical system, which could shock or injure utility crews working on nearly power lines.  Click Here for additional generator tips.

-- Do NOT touch or get near any fallen lines, and stay away from objects or puddles in contact with downed power lines.

-- If you have a downed power line or another hazardous situation, call 9-1-1 and contact your utility.

-- Do NOT try to remove trees or limbs from power lines.

-- Check on elderly neighbors and those with special needs who might need additional assistance.

Natural Gas

The PUC also offered some safety tips for those using natural gas appliances:

— Keep outside vents for your natural gas furnace or other gas appliances clear any accumulation of snow or ice. The vents provide airflow necessary for safe operation and blocked vents can lead to a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide.

— Carefully clear deep snow away from the area around your gas meter to allow utility access and to prevent potential disruptions of service, but keep snow blowers and plows away from the gas meter.

— Electric power outages can affect gas furnaces and other appliances. If they do not function properly when power is restored call a professional for service.

— If you smell natural gas, get everyone out of the building immediately. Leave the door open and do NOT use phones, switch lights or appliances on or off, or take any other action while inside the building. After you are outside, call 9-1-1 from your cell phone or neighbor's home.

PUC tips related to electric service outages are available online. Additionally, residents are encouraged to take some general steps before the storm to prepare for potential problems, including:

— Write down, print or save toll-free "outage reporting hotlines" to your cell phone. Those are the numbers you should call in the event of an outage. Natural gas utility contact information and electric utility hotlines are compiled on the PUC website.

— Save the Internet address for your utility's outage reporting system, which can provide updates on repair and restoration efforts. Those natural gas company websites and electric utility outage sites are listed on the PUC website.

— Check social media, like Facebook and Twitter, for utility updates and important storm-related information. Note: While many utilities use social media to highlight important information, consumers should not use social media to report outages or share account information, addresses or other personal information. Instead, always call the official utility outage hotline.

The PUC is in close communication with utilities across the state and based on those reports, utilities are putting their storm response plans into motion; crews and equipment are being positioned for quick response to outages; and utilities are enhancing their communication with emergency management coordinators across the state.

The PUC will continue to monitor the situation and will stay in close contact with the Governor's Office and the other state agencies involved in Pennsylvania's coordinated storm response.

Dealing With Snow/Ice With The Environment In Mind

DEP: Environmentally Sound Snow Management And Disposal

Philly Water Dept.: Worried About Using Salt?  Smart Winter Deicing Tips

Related Stories:

State Agencies Recommend Winter Storm Preparations, Get Road Conditions, Weather Forecasts, Snow Plow Locations

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State Price Gouging Law Now In Effect During Winter Emergency

The Office of Attorney General Friday cautioned both Pennsylvania consumers and businesses to be aware of the potential for price gouging following the State of Emergency declaration made by Gov. Tom Wolf Thursday.

The price gouging restrictions prohibit anyone involved in the sale or distribution of consumer goods or services from "unconscionably excessive" increases above average prices during the emergency and for 30 days after its conclusion.

The state's Price Gouging Act gives the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection the authority to investigate price gouging complaints and allows for penalties of up to $10,000 per violation, along with restitution and injunctive relief.

The restrictions required by the act not only apply to businesses involved in direct consumer sales, but also to manufacturers, suppliers, wholesalers and distributors of consumer products and services.

The Attorney General’s Office also advised consumers to follow the Public Utility Commission's tips for residents during power outages, including calling utility companies instead of 9-1-1 if power is lost. Commonwealth residents also are encouraged to limit travel during power outages involving downed power lines.

Consumers can report potential price gouging by calling the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection helpline at 800-441-2555 or by filing a consumer complaint online.

Click Here for background on Gov. Wolf’s emergency declaration Thursday.  A copy of the emergency declaration is available online.

Dealing With Snow/Ice With The Environment In Mind

DEP: Environmentally Sound Snow Management And Disposal

Philly Water Dept.: Worried About Using Salt?  Smart Winter Deicing Tips

Related Stories:

State Agencies Recommend Winter Storm Preparations, Get Road Conditions, Weather Forecasts, Snow Plow Locations

PUC Offers Winter Storm Tips: Prepare, Report Outages, Consider Safety

Insurance Commissioner Offers Tips On Weather Damage To Homes, Autos

1/25/2016