Geneva: NYSEG Releases Daily Storm Restoration Work Plan - 12 p.m.

Company continues to grow field resources

Strong municipal coordination will focus on opening roads, clearing hazards and restoring power

BINGHAMTON, NY — December 12, 2021, 12 p.m. — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) has released its daily restoration plan for work that will be completed on Sunday, after strong winds disrupted service to thousands of customers yesterday. The plan includes an overview of the company’s crewing, in addition to its operational activities for the day. NYSEG is adding additional field resources to assist in restoration efforts today. Currently, approximately 4,083 customers are without power in the company’s Geneva division, which includes Ontario, Wayne and Seneca counties.

Strong winds, with gusts reaching 70 mph, and rain moved across the state yesterday. As a result of the severe weather, the company experienced damage to the electric system causing thousands of outages. NYSEG’s damage assessors reported roughly 19 downed wires and 9 broken poles. The company urges customers to stay away from any downed wires or downed trees that have wires entangled and report those to NYSEG by calling 1.800.572.1131 or call 911.

Details of Sunday’s Work Plan Include

Resource and Crewing Information: Currently, the company has more than 2,000 field personnel engaged in storm response efforts statewide. To bolster restoration efforts, NYSEG is expanding its workforce with crews from its sister companies, United Illuminating and Central Maine Power and mutual aid crews from unaffected utilities and municipalities.

Operational Expectations: As a result of strong winds and rain, numerous trees have fallen down, blocking roads and causing extensive damage to the electric system, including broken poles and downed wires.

Today’s operational priorities will include three specific areas of focus. First, the company will continue to work with local municipal and emergency response officials to prioritize additional road clearing efforts, restore critical facilities and perform any other additional make-safe activities. The company continues to be in close contact with local municipal, elected and emergency management officials as it coordinates its response effort.

Second, the company will work to finalize damage assessments on each circuit in the division. By performing a thorough damage assessment during daylight hours, the company will be better able to provide more localized and accurate estimated times of restoration (ETRs).

Third, the company plans to make significant restoration progress during the daylight hours. While make-safe activities, such clearing roads of downed trees and wires will continue through the early part of the day, crews will also focus on setting new poles, hanging new wire and other restoration activities.

NYSEG will continue to provide updates throughout the event to the general public on the company’s social media channels (Facebook and Twitter). The company also offers customers the following reminders to prepare for the storm and stay safe if power outages do occur.

Outage Information:

• Sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates automatically by phone, text, or e-mail as the company updates the status of the restoration process in their area. Customers can sign up for outage alerts by visiting here for NYSEG. 
• Customers can use the new NYSEG mobile app to report and check the status of outages. To download the application, customers should search “AVANGRID” in the Apple or Android app stores and select “NYSEG.” The application is free to download. 

Stay Away From Downed Wires:

• Stay at least 30 feet from a downed power line.
• If a downed wire comes in contact with your vehicle, stay inside and wait for help. If you must get out because of fire or other danger, jump clear of the vehicle to avoid any contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Land with your feet together and hop with feet together or shuffle away; don’t run or stride.
• NYSEG customers should call 1.800.572.1131 to report downed power lines or other hazardous situations.

During a Power Interruption

• Contact neighbors to see if their power is off. A loss of power may be the result of a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker.
• To report a power interruption, contact NYSEG at 1.800.572.1131.
• Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible. Most food will last 24 hours if you minimize the opening of refrigerator and freezer doors.

Power Restoration Priorities

The companies’ first priorities are to respond to reports of downed power lines to keep the public safe. NYSEG customers are asked to call 1.800.572.1131 to report downed wires.

• Assess the damage to the electricity delivery system.
• Develop a detailed restoration plan.
• Make repairs as quickly as possible.

For additional information, including storm preparation tips, storm safety information, generator safety information, restoration priorities and emergency resources, visit Outage Central at NYSEG.com and and on the companies’ social media pages:

• Facebook: @NYSEandG
• Twitter: @NYSEandG

NYSEG is a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc.

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