NYSEG Working to Restore Power After Strong Winds Disrupt Service to Ithaca and Mechanicville Divisions

Company is assessing damage and responding to restore power throughout the day
 

MECHANICVILLE and  ITHACA N.Y.  — January 10, 2024, 10:00 am — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) is responding this morning as strong winds impacted the region Tuesday afternoon, into the evening. Currently, more than 5,000 customers in the Company’s Mechanicville division and 5,700 customers in the Ithaca division are without power.  The Mechanicville division includes Columbia, Rensselaer, Saratoga and Washington counties.  The Ithaca division includes Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins counties. NYSEG will provide restoration times once the extent of the damage is more thoroughly assessed.

There are reports of broken poles and downed wires and tree limbs due to those strong wind gusts. NYSEG storm response teams are fully engaged, including lineworkers and tree personnel who were pre-staged in the region ahead of the storm. The Company is shifting resources to help restoration efforts. A wind advisory is still in effect for the area. Crews will continue working throughout the day to assess the damage, make safe downed wires, clear fallen tree debris from the roads and restore power, when it is safe and possible to do so. The company is also coordinating response efforts with state and local emergency management authorities.

NYSEG will provide updates throughout the event to the general public on the company's social media channels (Facebook and X). The company also offers customers the following reminders to stay safe if power outages do occur.
 

Outage Information:

  • 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.
  • Customer can use the 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 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 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
  • X: @NYSEandG

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Media Contact:

Alexis Arnold
alexis.arnold@avangrid.com
585.953.3159

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