NEW YORK – National Grid’s field force of more than 3,000 workers is responding to power outages in eastern and central New York in dangerous weather conditions as an ongoing, powerful nor’easter continues to bring heavy, wet snow and high winds to the region.
Where it is safe to do so, crews are removing extensive damage – including downed wires, trees, tree limbs, broken poles and other hazards – while focusing on public safety and service restoration. The challenging weather conditions, which have included more than two feet of snow and wind gusts in excess of 40 mph in some locations, are expected to continue through Wednesday and could bring additional power outages.
“We are working closely with local officials, first responders and key emergency response personnel to coordinate our restoration efforts,” said Matt Barnett, National Grid’s vice president of New York electric operations. “The safety of our employees and customers is our top priority. Our crews are facing extremely dangerous weather conditions as they continue to work around the clock to clear away debris and gain access to repair damage and restore power.”
The company’s field force, which was pre-positioned in advance of the storm, includes assistance from as far away as Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee and Canada.
In eastern New York, more than 60,000 of the 110,000 impacted customers have had their service restored. The hardest-hit counties include Columbia, Essex, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington. In central New York, more than 3,000 of the 3,600 impacted customers have had their service restored. The hardest hit counties include Onondaga, Oneida and Madison.
Detailed restoration estimates for customers without service will be provided once a thorough damage assessment can be completed. The storm has created hazardous travel and work conditions, as well as equipment damage in remote, wooded areas off roadways. Crews will continue to work around the clock to restore power as quickly and safely as possible in challenging conditions.
Details on eastern New York warming centers are available on National Grid’s Outage Central website.
The Restoration Process
When it is safe to do so, the company’s first priority is to ensure the safety of our customers and our crews by clearing away dangers such as live, downed power lines. Next come repairs to the facilities that serve the largest number of customers such as main transmission facilities, followed by recovery work at local substations and repairs to neighborhood circuits, transformers and service wires. Click here to learn more about the company’s restoration process.
Estimated Restoration Times
- In the early stages of a storm, restoration times on National Grid’s Outage Central site may be listed as “assessing conditions.” This is because debris, such as trees, tree limbs, and downed wires, must be cleared away so that infrastructure damage can be assessed and restoration plans can be executed. Please see infographic below for a description of National Grid’s restoration process.
- It’s normal for outage numbers and ETRs to fluctuate. The numbers can go up and down as we de-energize lines to make conditions safe for repairs. Additionally, there could be new outages that occur as the strong, damaging winds and snow continue.
- Outage Central Reminder: Our Outage Central page shows the estimated time of restoration for communities, and reflects the estimated time for the last customer in that community to have power restored. The most accurate way for customers to check on the power restoration estimate for their specific address is to log into our Report or Check Outage page.
Safety Reminders
Customers are reminded to remain aware of potential safety hazards such as damaged trees, particularly broken limbs that haven’t yet fallen to the ground. As always, customers are reminded to keep safety a priority by avoiding downed wires. All wires should be considered live and should be immediately reported to National Grid at 1-800-867-5222 or by calling 911.
- If a power outage occurs, customers can notify National Grid online to expedite restoration.
- Generators used to supply power during an outage must be operated outdoors to prevent the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide. Before operating a generator, be sure to disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker, located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could endanger our crews and your neighbors.
- Customers who depend on electrically powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should register as a life support customer by calling National Grid at 1-800-642-4272. In a medical emergency, always dial 911.
- Please use caution when driving near emergency responders and crews restoring power.
- Be sure to check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage.
Safety Near Downed Power Lines
- Stay away from downed power lines and wires; use caution if one is nearby, and always assume that they are carrying live electricity.
- Never touch a person or an object that is in contact with a downed line, as electricity can pass through to you.
- Take caution when approaching fallen trees, which could have power lines caught in them.
- Remember that water can conduct electricity. If you see a line down in a puddle or flooded area, avoid contact with the water to prevent risk of shock.
- Learn more about downed power line safety at our website.
The company also offers the following important safety reminders for customers and snow removal contractors who are clearing snow near electricity and gas equipment.
Electricity Safety
- The photos below illustrate how snow and ice accumulation on roofs can place a burden on electricity service wires – also known as the weatherhead – that bring energy into the home. These wires are live and are a potential hazard to anyone attempting to clear snow. As snow and ice are removed, inspect the connection point from a safe distance to be sure that it hasn’t been pulled away from the house, which would create a potential fire hazard.
National Grid also reminds home and building owners to be especially cautious as they work to clear snow and ice by following these safety recommendations:
- Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines at all times.
- Keep all ladders, shovels, roof rakes and other devices well clear of any lines coming from the street to the structure, regardless of the material the equipment is made from. In extremely wet conditions, even wood can conduct electricity.
- Start clearing snow from the opposite end of the roof from the service point where electricity is delivered.
- The buildup of ice and snow around or over natural gas meters, regulators and pipes can pose a serious safety risk. Ice and snow falling from a roof can damage gas meters or service connections to customers’ homes or businesses, resulting in potential gas leaks. Customers should take immediate action if a natural gas leak is suspected:
- Get out – All occupants should leave the house immediately. Do not use the telephone, light switches or automatic garage door openers for any reason.
- Call us – After leaving the house and reaching a safe environment, call National Grid’s 24-hour gas emergency number: 1-800-892-2345.
- Stay out – Don’t return to your home until National Grid tells you it is safe to do so.
- Cleared snow should never be piled around vents. A blocked vent can lead to the buildup of deadlycarbon monoxide.
- The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of the flu, and can include headaches, weakness, confusion, chest tightness, skin redness, dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, heart fluttering or loss of muscle control. If you suspect carbon monoxide is present in your home, immediately go outside and breathe deeply. Then call 911.
- When clearing snow, customers and snow removal contractors should be aware of the location of natural gas equipment to avoid coming into contact with meters, hitting outside gas risers, or piling snow around vents mounted on the outside of buildings, which can cause the dilemma illustrated below:
Stay Informed and Connected
- Customers with active electricity accounts who text ‘REG’ to 64743 can have personalized alerts sent to them via text, email or phone call when we detect an outage on their property.
- Customers also can text ‘OUT’ to 64743 to report an outage.
- For real-time power outage information, online outage reporting, and in-depth storm safety information, visit National Grid’s Outage Central website. Customers who create an online profile also can sign up for email alerts.
- Customers can read the latest company news, check outage status and report an outage by using the National Grid app.
- Visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com, follow us on Twitter and friend us on Facebook
