NYSEG and RG&E Coordinating with Local Emergency Management Officials Due to Flooding in Canandaigua

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — July 10, 2023, 12:30p.m. — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) are coordinating with local Emergency Management Officials due to ongoing flooding in the Canandaigua, New York region. As a safety precaution, NYSEG turned off natural gas service in flooded areas yesterday, Sunday July 9, 2023 and RG&E turned off electric service at the request of local Emergency Management Officials. Currently, there are approximately 120 NYSEG natural gas customers impacted and 680 RG&E electric customers impacted. 

NYSEG and RG&E are continuing to coordinate closely with the Ontario County Office for Emergency Management, local fire departments and local municipalities. The companies will begin restoring service as soon as these organizations indicate it is safe to do so.
In the event of a gas emergency, customers should contact NYSEG at 800.572.1121 or 911 from a safe location. Customers should ensure functionality of their carbon monoxide detectors and replace batteries as needed. In the event of an electrical emergency, customers should contact RG&E at 800.743.1701. 

NYSEG and RG&E ask customers affected by flooding to review the below important information:

Restoring Electric Service After Flooding 

  • Anytime electric service is shut off due to an unsafe condition such as when the main fuse box or circuit breaker box is under water, it must be inspected by a certified electrical inspector before service can be restored.
  • Once flood waters have receded, customers should contact an electrician to make sure that it is safe to have electric service turned on before contacting their utility.
  • Someone must be present for service to be turned on, the basement must be free of water and the electrical panel must be clean and free of debris.
  • Customers and contractors should never attempt to turn on electric service.

Restoring Natural Gas Service After Flooding 

  • Under no circumstances should anyone other than a NYSEG employee attempt to turn on natural gas service.
  • To have NYSEG natural gas service restored, the following conditions must exist:
    • The customer must be present for the crew to reconnect the service.
    • The basement must be free of standing water.
    • Electricity service must be available.
    • NYSEG crews will check the condition of NYSEG equipment.
    • At least one natural gas appliance not affected by the flood must be ready to light. For safety reasons, the customer will need to have a plumbing or heating contractor make sure the gas appliances affected by the flood are in working order before NYSEG can reconnect and relight the pilots.
    • If any appliances are affected by the floodwaters, they will be tagged and isolated by an NYSEG representative. Customers will then be directed to seek a plumbing or heating contractor to make the necessary repairs. After repairs are made, NYSEG will return to clear the tag and restore service.

For questions about reconnecting services, NYSEG natural gas customers should call 800.572.1121 and RG&E electric customers should call 800.743.1701. For additional information, including natural gas safety tips, visit the NYSEG or RG&E webpages. Customers are also encouraged to follow the companies’ social media pages:

  • Facebook: @NYSEandG 
  • Twitter: @NYSEandG
  • Facebook: @RochGandE
  • Twitter: @RGandE 

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About NYSEG: New York State Electric & Gas Corporation (NYSEG) is a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc. Established in 1852, NYSEG operates approximately 35,000 miles of electric distribution lines and 4,500 miles of electric transmission lines across more than 40% of upstate New York. It also operates more than 8,150 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 20 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 894,000 electricity customers and 266,000 natural gas customers. For more information, visit www.nyseg.com.

About RG&E: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of Rochester. For more information, visit www.rge.com.

About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $41 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs more than 7,500 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital in 2021, 2022 and 2023 as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens. In 2023, Avangrid ranked first within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2023 for the fifth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.   

                         
Media Contact:
Sarah Warren
sarah.warren@avangrid.com 
585.794.9253  

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