Southern Lehigh Voices Anger Over 'False Hope' from PPL

Although weather forecasters warned last week that Hurricane Sandy's high winds could result in the blackout that has now lasted for close to four days in some parts of the area is causing confusion and frustration for many local residents who remain in the dark.

That is evident on PPL's Facebook page, where the utility has been posting frequent updates about progress on its restoration efforts for customers in a 29-county area that includes the Lehigh Valley.

Locally, PPL's estimates for Southern Lehigh ranged from 11pm on Oct 31 to 11pm on Nov. 4.

And patience is wearing thin for some customers whose homes are growing colder by the hour.

In particular, electric customers are voicing growing anger over incorrect "ERTs" (estimated restoration times) that PPL has been providing via its Outage Center.

"Why can't they just tell you the truth," asked Upper Saucon Patch reader Kathleen Lumpkin on the Upper Saucon Patch Facebook page. "Rather than getting your hopes up -- only to have another let down?"

"No excuse to have ours postponed each night for 2 in a row now," wrote Justin Adam Burkhardt on the PPL Facebook page. "It's either lies, appeasement or false hope or incompetence. We are freezing and waiting still in fountain hill!"

Added Sonia Carballo on the same thread: "When you issue out ERTs people think its an exact time (give an hour or two). Don't give out ERTs until workers get there an assess the situation. You're only upsetting people!"

Some customers, however, defended the utillity company for working around the clock to restore power to hundreds of thousands in the aftermath of the historic storm.

"C'mon PPL.... You can do it... Thank you for all your hard work.. Keep it up," said Upper Saucon Patch reader Maria Spinosa on the Upper Saucon Patch Facebook page. "We're down on Oakhurst patiently waiting.. If we see you, we'll get you some coffee or something... You're doing it, boys!" Spinosa's comment received seven Facebook likes. 

How would you rate PPL's post-storm response so far? Are you frustrated with the information the company has provided, or with a lack thereof? Tell us in the comments.