NYSEG Restoration Update: Work Progresses Ahead of Schedule - 12:30 pm

Company improves restoration target to Sunday

BINGHAMTON, New York — August 8, 2020, 12:30 p.m. — NYSEG, a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc., announced this afternoon that after receiving updates from the field on the progress of restorations, the company now expects to restore power to at least 95% of customers in the Brewster division (Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties) on Sunday. This improves the estimated restoration time by a full day. Currently, approximately 13,000 customers impacted by the storm are without power. The company reiterated that it continues to acquire additional resources to join the response and based on the severity of damage to the remaining circuits, it is possible that estimated times of restoration may further improve.

The news builds on the company’s announcement earlier this morning that restoration crews would begin work on all remaining circuits. As part of work plan released this morning, the company also announced it would utilize a decentralized response with four command sites to place emphasis on increased communications with municipalities and customers, in addition to a more localized operational response.

As the company completed damage assessment and cleared wires down, assessor and wire guard resources can now be redeployed. Those workers will be used in today’s work plan as “runners” to more quickly collect information from field by driving to and from our crews, allowing the company to be more agile in its operational decision making and communications. Likewise, the company is dispatching service crews to fix and connect downed service wires that connect customers’ homes to our system. Typically, this task is left until the end of a restoration effort. However, the company is proactively working to complete these restorations in parallel to the larger distribution restoration to help improve overall restoration times, and to help our customers.

While the number of broken poles throughout the division remains high, the company expects to be able to set more than 150 poles today.

NYSEG will continue to provide updates throughout the event to the public on the company’s website and social media channels (Facebook and Twitter). The company also offers customers the following reminders to stay safe during the outage.

Outage Information:

  • 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 for NYSEG.
  • Customers can use the new NYSEG 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. 

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

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

 

 

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