450 customers still without Power in Dupont – New Estimated Restoration Time is 10pm (for now)

From Pepco [most detailed update I’ve seen via the Dupont Listserv]:

“On Jan. 6, 2015, an underground cable fault occurred shortly before 7 a.m. in the area of 18th and Corcoran streets, NW. The fault caused three underground feeders to trip and led to power outages for approximately 6,100 customers. The cause remains under investigation.

Pepco restored electrical service to approximately 6000 customers by about 11 p.m. Tuesday. Field work on the underground outage has required a longer period of work than anticipated due to inclement weather, traffic and the severity of the damage. Pepco crews will continue making repairs and will remain on site until all of the work is completed.

The current ETR is set at 10 p.m. tonight. Estimated Time of Restoration is initially based on the identified problem and the time it normally takes to make the repairs. As we proceeded with the original repairs, we found the damage more extensive than originally anticipated which required extending the ETR. Until the first repair was completed, we could not detect the additional repairs necessary to complete the restoration. ETRs, that Pepco fully expected to meet, have been extended due to unforeseen issues crews had no way of discovering until they made other necessary repairs.

Today, during our emergency repair effort, engineers discovered additional issues involving secondary power cables underground. This will require crews to remove and replace cable before service can be completely restored to remaining customers experiencing outages. Three secondary main lines are being replaced plus additional underground equipment. The technical nature of this repair work severely limits the ability to immediately see certain underground issues. Pepco has been calling affected customers all day to communicate our continued emergency work and the estimated time of restoration.

We estimate more than 450 customers are experiencing an extended outage while our emergency work continues to repair secondary lines. Customers between R Street and S Street, in the area extending between 18th Street NW to Connecticut Avenue are included in the extended outage. It is important for customers who do not have power to continue reporting any outage to Pepco by phone at 1-877-737-2662 or through our mobile app available for download at Pepco.com.

The District has established a warming center for customers at the Raymond Recreation Center, 3725 10th Street NW. We understand our customers’ frustration and we will continue to work around the clock to get every last customer restored.”