NYSEG and RG&E Prepare for Next Weather Event Bringing Snow and Ice to the Northeast
Company Encourages Customers to Monitor Forecasts and Stay Safe
- Stay away from downed power lines, even lines that appear dead can be dangerous
- NYSEG customers should call 1.800.572.1131 to report downed power lines or other hazardous situations
- RG&E customers should call 1.800.743.1701 to report downed power lines or other hazardous situations
ROCHESTER, NY — February 11, 2019 — NYSEG and RG&E, subsidiaries of AVANGRID (NYSE: AGR), are closely monitoring weather forecasts in advance of a weather pattern that may bring a combination of snow, sleet and ice across the state starting late tonight through tomorrow. The Companies encourage customers to stay tuned to local media for current weather and travel conditions, and plan ahead for any potential weather impacts.
NYSEG and RG&E storm readiness teams are preparing crews and equipment, and the Companies are staging additional resources to ensure readiness to respond to any downed power lines and power interruptions that may occur due to the storm. The Companies are contacting customers who have provided their email addresses and those who rely on life-sustaining electrically powered equipment, urging them to take measures to prepare for the storm and the potential of power outages. The Companies will provide updates to the general public on our web and social media sites.
NYSEG and RG&E encourage customers to sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates throughout the day automatically by phone, text, or e-mail as the company updates the status of restoration efforts in their area. This information is also available online at www.nyseg.com or www.rge.com.
Power Restoration Priorities
NYSEG’s and RG&E’s 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. RG&E customers are asked to call 1.800.743.1701). 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 safely and as quickly as possible.
How We Go About Restoring Power Following Major Storms
We first repair the backbone of the electricity system – transmission lines and substations – that bring electricity to the local distribution system that serves our customers. We then make any necessary repairs to the distribution system that includes the poles and power lines along streets and roads, focusing first on those circuits where we can restore power to the largest number of customers. As part of this process, we take into account the needs of hospitals, nursing homes, fire and police stations, as well as any other critical infrastructure. This is a time-proven process that ensures we safely restore service as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Storm safety and preparedness tips are available at www.nyseg.com or www.rge.com (click on “Safety” and then on “Storm Safety”).
Media Contact:
Kevin Ortiz
203.499.3496