News Releases
National Grid Offers Upstate New York Customers Tips on Weathering the Summer Thunderstorm Season

July 31, 2009

With the summer thunderstorm season in full swing, National Grid is prepared for severe weather and the electrical system damage it can cause. National Grid wants customers to be ready, too.

Each year, National Grid prepares its employees to respond to potential damage to its electrical system. Semi-annual regional and company-wide storm drills are used to simulate real emergency situations, providing practice in everything from electricity service restoration to communication techniques. Storm drills help to validate existing emergency procedure plans and to identify areas for improvement.

Other measures taken by the company include:

Regular tree trimming and removal of hazardous trees to limit damage to power lines from broken limbs and overgrowth.

Installation of Hendrix or ‘spacer’ cable, which increases insulation and bundles power lines together to reduce the incidence of tree-related power outages in potential problem areas.

Rerouting of main overhead lines when necessary to reduce tree exposure that can cause damage.

Addition of line fuses that isolate portions of an overhead line experiencing an outage in order to prevent the outage from affecting a larger customer group.

The company regularly conducts detailed inspections of poles, lines and other equipment associated with electricity delivery throughout its service area to identify what upgrades may be required.

Tips for Customers

While National Grid gets ready for any severe storm systems that may hit the Northeast, the company encourages customers to stay informed and to adopt appropriate storm preparation and safety techniques.

Always follow the advice of local emergency officials.

Assemble and maintain a storm disaster supply kit including:

First aid kit and medications, specialty items (such as diapers and pet food), non-perishable food, a manual can opener and at least three gallons of drinking water per person.

Flashlights, batteries and a portable radio to listen for emergency broadcast instructions and restoration updates.

Post National Grid’s toll-free emergency outage reporting number—1-800-867-5222—near the phone so it will be handy if needed.

Identify a watertight, secure location for your important documents, records and valuables.

Before winds grow strong, secure loose outdoor items such as lawn furniture, grills and trash cans, or bring them indoors.

Except for emergencies, do not use the phone or electrical appliances during a storm. They can conduct dangerous amounts of electricity if nearby lines are struck by lightning.

Individuals dependent upon electric-powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should let National Grid know right away. To register as a National Grid life support customer, call the company’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-642-4272.

After the Storm

After the storm, if your home is without power or if you see a downed power line on your street, report it right away to National Grid. Assume all downed power lines are energized and dangerous, and do not go near any wires you see on the ground. Keep children and pets indoors until the problem is fixed.

If you see evidence of electrical system damage in your home such as sparks or broken or frayed wires, turn off the electricity at the main fuse box or circuit breaker. If you will have to step in water to get to the fuse box or circuit breaker, avoid the area, and call an electrician first for advice.

When a power outage occurs in your neighborhood, it may in fact be affecting thousands of customers. While waiting for your power to return, please be patient. Know that we are doing everything we can to restore electric service to all of our customers as safely and quickly as conditions allow.

The summer thunderstorm season can be a hardship. By staying informed and being prepared, it is possible for you and your loved ones to weather the storms safely. For more information, please visit: https://www.nationalgridus.com/niagaramohawk/storm/prepare_storms.asp

National Grid is an international energy delivery company. In the U.S., National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island, and manages the electricity network on Long Island under an agreement with the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA). It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York and Rhode Island. National Grid also owns over 4,000 megawatts of contracted electricity generation that provides power to over one million LIPA customers.