NYSEG and RG&E address outages from ongoing Statewide windstorm

NYSEG and RG&E are addressing over 48,000 outages caused by the most recent windstorm that continues to sweep across the State.  The hardest hit areas include Erie County in NYSEG’s Lancaster Division with 19,300 outages and Monroe County where 14,500 RG&E customers are currently without power. 

Customers in these highly affected areas are strongly urged to use caution when going outside and to avoid going near downed wires. NYSEG customers are asked to call 1-800-572-1131 immediately to report downed or low-hanging wires. RG&E customers are asked to call 1-800-743-1701.

Crews respond to outages systematically with safety as the first priority. Crews are currently addressing potential safety threats, such as downed live wires and broken poles. This could require crews to de-energize or remover primary distribution lines. During this phase, the Companies will work to restore service to hospitals, first responders, and emergency evacuation centers vital to public safety as directed by local and state officials.

“Our primary priority at this stage is ensuring the safety of our customers, the public and our crews. With damage inflicted mostly in Western New York, we have more personnel in that part of the State. Overall, we have mobilized more than 1,000 company and contract personnel who are responding to wires down and damage reports throughout our Companies’ territories,” said Patricia Nilsen, Director of Emergency Preparedness at AVANGRID. “We are working in tandem with municipalities to keep streets safe and clear, so we can assess the damage in totality. We will communicate the extent of the damage as soon as we are able.”

To receive the latest updates on power restoration progress, customers can sign up for alerts at nyseg.com or rge.com and automatically receive the latest news by phone, text, or email.