NYSEG Preparing for Potential Icy Conditions Friday

Company mobilizes field resources ahead of expected weather

Binghamton, N.Y. — December 31, 2020, 1:00 p.m. — New York State Electric and Gas (NYSEG) is preparing for icy conditions as a result of freezing rain, sleet and wet snow that could potentially impact portions of the company’s service area statewide beginning on Friday afternoon through Saturday morning.  As a result of the storm, customers may experience service interruptions.

Current forecasts call for a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and some wet snow beginning in the late afternoon and evening in the Western New York service areas before moving into the Eastern New York services areas later in the evening and overnight. Heavy snow and ice may cause trees and branches to break and fall onto electrical equipment, causing service disruptions for customers.

The company’s storm readiness teams have been monitoring weather forecasts, planning, readying crews and equipment, coordinating with local municipal officials, mobilizing employees for storm duty and have additional contract tree and line crews ready to help restore service should outages occur. The company urges customers to monitor local forecasts and prepare for the possibility of service interruptions.

Company Preparations

Readying Crews

Company and contractor crews will be onsite and prepared to facilitate an effective and efficient response if outages occur. Resources will be placed on a rotational schedule to ensure response through the overnight hours as necessary.

Equipment Summary

The line and tree crews will be prepared to respond to any ice or snow related issues with bucket trucks, auger trucks, wood chippers, dump trucks and backhoes. Additionally, new wooden poles and replacement transformers are being strategically placed to streamline restoration efforts.

How to Stay Up-To-Date

NYSEG 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 email alerts and download the NYSEG 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”. 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.
  • 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.

Winter Safety

  • Keep electric and gas meters and regulators clear of snow and ice by using a broom or by hand – not a shovel.
  • Snow should not be pushed or piled around electric or natural gas meters.
  • Beware of exhaust getting trapped by snow around an appliance sidewall outside vent from a natural gas appliance. All equipment outside vents should be kept clear of snow and ice.

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 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 nyseg.com.

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $36 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. With headquarters in Orange, Connecticut, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns 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 approximately 6,600 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 and 2020 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit avangrid.com.

Learn about the Iberdrola Group’s global pandemic response at its COVID-19 Hub.

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