NYSEG Prepared for Potential Icy Conditions Ahead - 4:30 pm
Hundreds of field resources ready to respond
BINGHAMTON, New York — January 11, 2020, 4:30 p.m. EST — NYSEG, an AVANGRID company, today announced that hundreds of field resources have been mobilized in advance of potentially icy conditions as the result of freezing rain that is expected to enter the Plattsburgh region this evening and into Sunday. As a result of the storm, customers may experience service disruptions. The storm is expected to impact NYSEG’s Plattsburgh division, which includes Clinton, Essex, Franklin, and Hamilton counties.
Current forecasts call for freezing rain to begin as early as 6 p.m. in the City of Plattsburgh and by 9 p.m. for surrounding areas. Icing is expected to continue through early Sunday morning before mixing to rain and snow in the afternoon. Varying forecasts call for a total ice accumulation of roughly half-an-inch to three-quarters of an inch, with some potential risks of up to an inch-and-a-quarter of ice through the overnight period. Ice associated with 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 weather forecasts and prepare for the possibility of service interruptions. NYSEG’s storm readiness teams have been actively preparing in advance of the weather and continue to monitor weather forecasts, plan and ready crews and equipment for storm duty. They are also coordinating preparations with state and local emergency management officials. At this time, more than 120 line and 80 tree resources have joined onsite line personnel – ready to respond should outages occur. Dozens of additional damage assessment and wire guard personnel have also been deployed for response efforts. Specialized equipment, necessary in areas with challenging terrain, has also been moved into the region in advance of the storm.
NYSEG will provide updates throughout the event to the general public on their website and social media channels (Facebook and Twitter). The company also reminds customers of the following safety tips to prepare for the storm and stay safe if power outages do occur.
Before a storm strikes:
- Sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates automatically by phone, text, or e-mail as the company updates the status of the restoration process in their area. Customers can sign up for outage alerts by visiting here .
- 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 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 company’s first priority is 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
Media Contact:
- Michael Jamison
Michael.Jamison@avangrid.com
203.997.7906 (cellphone)