NYSEG Preparing for Weekend Winter Storms
Storms Expected to Bring Wet, Heavy Snow; Power Disruptions Possible
- Stay away from downed power lines – even lines that appear dormant can be deadly
- NYSEG customers should call 1-800-572-1131 to report downed power lines or other hazardous situations
BINGHAMTON, NY — March 1, 2019 — 4:00 p.m. NYSEG, a subsidiary of AVANGRID (NYSE: AGR), is monitoring weather forecasts and preparing for a batch of winter storms that are predicted to bring significant snowfall and a wintry mix of precipitation across NYSEG service area. Current forecasts call for snow Saturday overnight into Sunday with another storm hitting the area Sunday night into Monday. Wet snow accumulation could bring tree limbs into contact with power lines or make for hazardous travel conditions.
In particular, NYSEG is monitoring the predicted wet snow in the Company’s eastern service area:
- Brewster Division, portions of Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties
- Liberty Division, portions of Delaware, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties
- Oneonta Division, portions of Broome, Chenango, Delaware, Greene, Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie, and Ulster counties
The storms are expected to affect areas across the northeast, so all NYSEG customers are urged to monitor forecasts throughout the weekend and stay safe.
NYSEG’s storm readiness teams are preparing crews and equipment and have secured additional resources to respond to downed power lines and potential power interruptions. In addition to company crews, NYSEG has secured additional contract line and tree resources that are being staged in the eastern portion of the service area this weekend. These crews will be working along with Company and contract crews already on site to respond to any emergencies and restore power.
In addition, the Company is making proactive contact with customers who use life support equipment and those customers who are identified in our system as elderly, blind or disabled.
NYSEG encourages customers to sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates throughout storm events automatically by phone, text, or email as the company updates the status of any restoration process in their area. This information is also available online.
Power Restoration Priorities
NYSEG’s first priorities are to respond to known incidents of downed power lines to make the situations safe. NYSEG customers are asked to call 1-800-572-1131 to report downed wires. While this vital public safety work is being completed, the Company will be assessing the damage to the electricity delivery system and developing a detailed restoration plan. Crews will make repairs as quickly as possible.
Restoring Power Following Major Storms
Repairs are first made to the backbone of the electricity system – transmission lines and substations – that bring electricity to the local distribution system that serves our customers. This is followed by 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, the companies take into account the needs of hospitals, nursing homes, fire and police stations, as well as any other critical infrastructure. NYSEG offers the following reminders:
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. Our telephone systems let callers report the problem, help our crews respond quickly and efficiently, and provide customers with power interruption updates. Anyone who has access to a working computer or mobile device during a power interruption can also report the interruption online at nyseg.com.
- Listen to a battery-powered radio for weather and power restoration updates.
- Turn off major appliances (electric water heaters, refrigerators and freezers) and sensitive electronic equipment (TVs, DVD players, computers, and audio equipment) to prevent overloading and possible damage when power is restored. Turning off this equipment may mean unplugging it, turning off a circuit breaker or removing a fuse for the circuit that provides power to this equipment. Leave one light switch “on” to know when power has been restored.
- Don’t use a natural gas or propane range to heat your home.
- Never use outdoor grills or stoves inside.
- Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible. Most food can last 24 hours if you minimize the opening of refrigerator and freezer doors.
After Power Is Restored
- If a basement or home was flooded, customers should have an electrician check the home and have a plumbing and heating contractor check natural gas appliances before contacting NYSEG to have services turned on.
- Turn on appliances and sensitive electronic equipment one at a time to avoid overloading circuits.
- Replenish emergency supplies used during the storm.
Additional storm safety information is available at nyseg.com (click on “Safety” and then on “Storm Safety”).
Media Contacts:
- Kevin Ortiz, NYSEG
Kevin.Ortiz@avangrid.com
203.499.3496 (business hours) - 24/7 Media Hotline
833.MEDIA.55 (833.633.4255)