NYSEG and RG&E Preparing for Winter Storm Elliott

Company has pre-staged additional crews and equipment across the state ahead of forecasted wind, ice, and snow

Company is committed to responding to and restoring any outages as quickly as possible
 

BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — December 22, 2022, 12 noon — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) are preparing for high winds associated with the winter storm that is expected to move across New York state on Thursday. As a result of the forecast, the companies have pre-staged additional line and tree personnel across the state to assist with restoration efforts, if needed.

The storm has the potential to impact all of NYSEG and RG&E’s service areas, which includes Western New York, Rochester, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, North Country, Capital Region, Hudson Valley and Westchester regions.

Current forecasts call for wind gusts potentially reaching 60 mph in two stages on Friday and Saturday, as well as snow and ice, to begin late Thursday in Western New York and then move east across the state. The wind, ice, and snow have the potential to bring down trees and limbs, causing damage to overhead power lines and other electrical equipment. The companies urge customers to monitor local forecasts and prepare for the possibility of service interruptions.

The companies’ storm readiness teams have been monitoring weather forecasts, planning, readying crews and equipment, mobilizing employees for storm duty, and have additional contract tree and line crews ready to help restore service should outages occur.

Readying Crews

In preparation for the event, the company is pre-staging more than 280 line and tree crews across the region to assist with restoration efforts. Additionally, the company has mobilized damage assessors and wire guards. Company and contractor crews will be onsite and prepared to facilitate an effective and efficient response should outages occur.

Equipment Summary

The line and tree crews will be prepared to respond to any wind or rain related issues with bucket trucks, auger trucks, wood chippers, dump trucks and backhoes.

How to Stay Up to Date 

NYSEG will provide updates throughout the event to the general public on its website and social media channels (Facebook and Twitter). Customers should also sign up for Outage Alerts and download the NYSEG Mobile App to get the most up-to-date information.

Safety Tips

Before a Storm Strikes

  • Use our free 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.
  • Sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates automatically by phone, text, or email as the company updates the status of the restoration process in their area. Customers can sign up for outage alerts by visiting nyseg.com/alerts.
  • Keep battery-operated flashlights and radios on hand, along with supplies of drinking water and non-perishable foods.
  • Make sure that smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices are fully charged.
  • Fill your car’s fuel tank.

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.

If Flooding Occurs

  • If flooding of a home or business has already occurred or is about to occur, customers should call 800.572.1131 to have electricity turned off; 800.572.1121 to have natural gas service turned off.
  • Stay out of flooded basements. Energized wiring or outlets below the water line may pose a hazard; natural gas service in a flooded basement may also pose a danger.
  • To have electricity service restored once flood waters have receded, customers should contact NYSEG (or their electric utility if it is not NYSEG) to discuss specific circumstances; a safety inspection by a certified electrical inspector may be necessary before service can be restored. 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 electricity service.
  • To have natural gas service restored once flood waters have receded: If the natural gas meter and/or regulator were under water, customers must first contact NYSEG (or their natural gas company if it is not NYSEG). If any natural gas equipment (furnace, boiler, water heater, etc.) has been under water, they need to contact a plumbing and heating contractor to have the equipment checked. Customers can then contact their natural gas company to have service restored. Customers and contractors should never attempt to turn on natural gas service.

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, use our Mobile App, visit nyseg.com or 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

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