9:00 AM: NYSEG and RG&E Continue Power Restoration Efforts Following Halloween Storm

More than 84,000 customers affected by rain and winds; Approximately 8,700 customers currently without power

Additional 1,185 tree and line contract personnel working to restore service

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — November 1, 9:00 a.m. — New York Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) have released their restoration plan for work after rain and strong winds impacted more than 84,000 customers across the state. Crews worked through the day yesterday and through the night, clearing roadways for emergency vehicles, assessing damage, and restoring power where possible to those impacted thus far by this event. The Companies expect to restore most of the customers who remain without power in its divisions today. The Companies have reallocated field crews in the most impacted areas to assist in restoration. 

At this time, approximately 8,700 NYSEG and RG&E customers are without power. NYSEG’s Oneonta division, which includes the Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Greene, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie, and Ulster Counties, have more than 2,700 outages. RG&E’s Sodus Division, which includes Wayne and Cayuga Counties, has more than 2,200 customers without power. The Companies are using automation to redirect power from other sources to reduce the scope of outages as much as possible, in addition to deploying field crews to clear tree limbs and downed wires from the storm. 

The most significantly affected communities from this storm include NYSEG’s Mechanicville division, which includes Columbia, Rensselaer, Saratoga, and Washington Counties; Brewster division, which includes Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester Counties; Liberty division, which includes Orange, Sullivan, Delaware, and Ulster Counties; and RG&E’s Sodus division. Approximately 12,000 customers lost power in Mechanicville. More than 10,000 customers in Brewster and Sodus lost power. Approximately 8,000 customers were affected in Liberty. 

Customers should remain engaged, reporting outages when necessary and watching social media for updates. 

Details of Saturday’s work plan include:

Crew Information: The Companies have onboarded additional resources to expedite storm response and restoration efforts. In total, approximately 1,185 additional tree and line contract personnel are working across NYSEG and RG&E’s heaviest impacted divisions to restore power. 

Operational Expectations: Crews are spread throughout the divisions, making critical repairs as safely and quickly as possible. This will include setting poles to replace those damaged in the storm, repairing transmission lines, substations, distribution lines, and restoring critical facilities. 

For the safety of our crews and the public, the Companies remind customers to please stay away from downed wires and do not approach crews as they are conducting work, including communications with our control center to safely conduct restoration work.

After Restoration:

NYSEG and RG&E encourage any customer without power after restoration is complete to contact NYSEG at 1.800.572.1131 or RG&E at 1.800.743.1701 to report the issue and allow crews to investigate. Once every customer is restored, the Companies will continue to fix remaining damage that occurred but did not affect customers or the reliability of service. That will then be followed by a full system sweep of all affected circuits to look for damage or issues that may have been missed but that could cause service disruptions in the future, such as tree limbs on power lines or leaning trees.

NYSEG and RG&E will continue to provide updates throughout the event to the general public on the Companies’ social media channels.

NYSEG and RG&E urge customers to remain away from storm debris as it may contain downed wires or other damaged equipment. Customers should assume all downed wires are energized and dangerous and should be reported by calling NYSEG’s emergency line at 1.800.572.1131. RG&E’s line at 1.800.743.1701 or contacting 911. 

Outage Information:

  • Sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates automatically by phone, text or email as the companies update the status of the restoration process in their area. Customers can sign up for outage alerts by visiting here for NYSEG and here for RG&E.
  • Customers can use the NYSEG or RG&E 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” or “RG&E.” 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 and RG&E customers should call 1.800.743.1701 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 or RG&E at 1.800.743.1701.
  • 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 and RG&E customers are asked to call at 1.800.743.1701 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 or rge.com and on the Companies' social media pages:

  • Facebook: @NYSEandG
  • Twitter: @NYSEandG
  • Instagram: @nyseg.co
  • Facebook: @RochGandE
  • Twitter: @RGandE
  • Instagram: @rochestergasandelectric

Media Contact:
Michael Baggerman
mbaggerman@nyseg.com
716.368.1284