NYSEG and RGE Preparing for High Winds and Rain - 9:30 a.m.

Companies prepare as forecasted weather could cause service disruptions

Binghamton, N.Y. — March 25, 2021, 9:30 a.m. — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas & Electric (RG&E) are preparing for high winds and rain associated with an incoming storm expected to impact their service areas on Friday. As a result of the storm, customers may experience service disruptions. The storm is expected to impact the entire NYSEG and RG&E footprint, which includes the Western New York, Rochester, Southern Tier, North Country, Capital Region, Hudson Valley and Westchester regions.

Current forecasts call for rain and winds to begin early Friday morning and continue through Friday evening. As a result of the weather, peak gusts in the western portions of the state have the potential to reach upwards of 60 mph, with isolated areas along the coast of Lake Erie potentially experiencing 65 mph gusts. In the central and eastern parts of the state, peak winds have the potential to reach 40-50 mph. The companies urge customers to monitor weather forecasts and prepare for the possibility of service interruptions, as gusty winds have the potential to bring down trees and limbs, causing damage to overhead power lines and other electrical equipment.

Company Preparations

Readying Crews
In preparation for the event, the companies are readying crews to assist with potential restoration efforts. Crews are being pre-staged in areas expected to be most heavily impacted and the companies are continuing to acquire additional contract line and tree resources to help restore service should outages occur. Currently more than 1,500 field personnel have been readied for response efforts.

Equipment Summary
Line and tree crews are prepared to respond, with company and contractor personnel readying bucket trucks, auger trucks, wood chippers, dump trucks and backhoes.

How to Stay Up-To-Date
NYSEG and RG&E will provide updates throughout the event to the general public on their website and social media channels (Facebook and Twitter). Customers should also sign up for outage alerts and download the NYSEG or RG&E mobile app to get the most up-to-date information.

Safety Tips
The company also offer customers the following reminders to prepare for the storm and stay safe if power outages do occur.

Before a storm strikes:

• Use our new 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.
• 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 here for NYSEG and here for RG&E.
• 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 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 company’s social media pages:

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