NYSEG Crews are Responding to Evening Severe Thunderstorms That Disrupted Power Across Several Service Areas

The Company is responding and working to restore power as quickly and safely as possible


 Elmira, Liberty, Ithaca and Oneonta Service areas see the biggest impact

 

ELMIRA, N.Y. — August 12, 8PM — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) is responding after strong thunderstorms moved through the region Saturday afternoon and evening. The storm system produced heavy rains, lightning, and strong wind gusts, significantly impacting our Elmira service division, which includes Steuben, Chemung and Schuyler counties, where approximately 8,400 customers are currently without power.

Approximately 1,100 customers in our Ithaca division, which includes Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins counties are without power. Nearly 1,500 customers in our Liberty division, which includes Orange, Sullivan, Delaware and Ulster are without power. While just over 1,000 customers in our Oneonta division, which includes Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Greene, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie and Ulster are without power.

Current forecasts call for strong to severe thunderstorms, accompanied by potentially damaging winds, with a slight chance of isolated tornadoes beginning Wednesday morning in Western New York and then moving east across the state. The storm has the potential to bring down trees and limbs, causing damage to overhead power lines and other electrical equipment. The Company urges customers to monitor local forecasts and prepare for the possibility of service interruptions. 

The Company pre-staged crews throughout the state, ready to respond to interruptions in service. Crews have been moved to the most heavily impacted areas to assist with restoration efforts. Initial reports indicate damage from the storm includes lightning strikes, downed trees and power lines. NYSEG is reminding customers to avoid all areas with downed trees and power lines. The Company’s storm response team is fully engaged, and crews will continue to work throughout the evening until every customer is restored.

NYSEG will provide updates 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 App - NYSEG to get the most up-to-date information.

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 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.
  • 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 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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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 AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $40 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs more than 7,000 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 2022 for the fourth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. AVANGRID is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit avangrid.com.   

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