Mechanicville: NYSEG Releases Daily Storm Restoration Work Plan - 9 a.m.

Company continues to grow field resources

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

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — October 8, 2020 9:00 a.m. — NYSEG released its daily restoration plan for work that will be completed on Thursday, after strong winds and heavy rain disrupted service to thousands of customers. The plan includes an overview of the company’s crewing, in addition to its operational activities for the day. NYSEG will continue to add additional resources to the hardest hit areas throughout the restoration effort. Currently, approximately 5,400 customers are without power in the company’s Mechanicville Division which includes Rensselaer, Columbia, Saratoga and Washington counties.
 
Details of Thursday’s Work Plan Include:
Resource and Crewing Information: Currently, the company has more than 800 field personnel engaged in storm response efforts statewide. As restorations near completion in less impacted areas, crews will continue to converge into the division, allowing the company to continue expanding its workforce for the duration of the restoration period.

Operational Expectations: As a result of strong winds and torrential 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, due to the timing of storm and the limited daylight hours after the storm cleared, the company will work to complete 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. To bolster the response effort and allow for a heighten localized response, the company has added a second incident commander to help lead the response effort. 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.
 
COVID-19: Recognizing that many residents are currently home due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, for everyone’s safety, the company asks customers to observe a six-foot social distance if they must be near workers and always remain outside the work zone. Allowing crews to remain uninterrupted and focused on their work enables workers to determine damage and make repairs more quickly.
 
NYSEG will continue to provide updates throughout the event to the general public on the company’s website and 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 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 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 company’s first priority is to respond to reports of downed power lines to keep the public safe. NYSEG customers are asked to call 800.572.1131 to report downed wires. Once this vital public safety work is complete, the company will: 

• 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 on the company’s social media pages: 

• Facebook: @NYSEandG 
• Twitter: @NYSEandG