NYSEG releases estimated restoration time for power

NYSEG, a subsidiary of AVANGRID (NYSE:AGR), is working to restore power to nearly 30,000 customers affected by the storm. With the advantage of daylight, local line crews, with assistance from neighboring company and contract resources, have been working throughout the affected areas to determine the extent of the damage and set estimated restoration times.

Global restoration times have been set for the customers affected by the fast-moving storms last night.

For NYSEG’s Binghamton Division – Broome, Tioga, and portions of Chenango Counties – NYSEG expects to have 90 percent of the customer services affected by the storm restoredby tomorrow, May 3 at 10 p.m. The remaining customers in that area are expected to be restored Thursday May 4, 2017 by 1 p.m.

There are currently more than 1,000 personnel including line workers, contractors, and tree contactors working on damage assessments and power restoration efforts, with additional resources en route. Crews have been working to cut power to any downed lines as the first priority for public safety, and then are removing trees and repair damaged lines and equipment as they work to restore power to customers. 

NYSEG encourages customers to sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates throughout the day automatically by phone, text, or e-mail as the company updates the status of the restoration process in their area.  This information is also available online at http://www.nyseg.com/YourAccount/AboutAlerts.html

Power Restoration Priorities

NYSEG’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.

NYSEG offer the following reminders:

Stay Away From Downed Wires

• Stay at least 20 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 1.800.572.1131to 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 1.800.572.1131Don’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 will last 24 hours if you minimize the opening of refrigerator and freezer doors.

Safety After a Storm

• Stay out of flooded or damp basements or other areas if water is in contact with outlets, a furnace or any electrically operated appliance that is energized. The water or moisture may conduct electricity. Contact may cause serious or fatal injury.
• You may have a lot of tree debris in your yard following a storm. Wait until power line repairs are complete before you begin your storm cleanup.
• 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 “Outage Central” and then on “Storm Safety”).