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National Grid’s Field Force Continues to Restore Power After Severe Windstorms Impact Eastern New York

Oct 08, 2020 - 8:45 PM

Categories:

Upstate NY

Storm Response

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ALBANY, N.Y. - A National Grid eastern New York field force that has grown to more than 2,000 workers continues to make steady progress after sudden and severe storms swept across the region Wednesday bringing heavy rain and straight-line winds of up to 90 mph. Crews have been on the ground since the storm began, and will continue to work around the clock focusing on public safety, removing uprooted trees, broken poles and other hazards and restoring service. Additionally, hundreds of contractors, some from as far away as Indiana, Michigan and Canada, are arriving today and tomorrow to support the restoration.

The storm caused extensive damage across a wide geography, which has resulted in a labor-intensive and time-consuming restoration process. As of 7 p.m., National Grid has restored service to nearly 135,000 of the more than 225,000 customers impacted across the region.

Areas experiencing the most intense storm damage include Albany, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Columbia and Montgomery counties. Given the widespread and significant damage to equipment and trees, the company expects the majority of currently affected Capital Region customers to have power restored by Saturday evening with the remaining customers, primarily in the hardest-hit areas, including Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady counties, restored on Sunday. The company’s large contingent of workers will remain in the field continuing their 24-hour restoration work over the next few days.

“This storm has been extremely damaging to our electricity system,” said Matt Barnett, Vice President of New York Electric Operations. “We understand that the inconvenience of being without power is especially frustrating during this challenging time, with so many of our customers working from home and children learning remotely. Our crews will continue to be out there in full force bringing service back to customers as quickly as possible.”

National Grid is offering customers dry ice and bottled water at the locations below. Company personnel will provide information on the proper handling of dry ice, and customers are asked to bring a small cooler or shopping bag to transport their dry ice home.

Albany:
Crossgates Mall Parking Lot (near Macy’s)
1 Crossgates Mall Road, Guilderland
Friday, Oct. 9: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Troy:
Pittstown Rescue Squad
60 Parker School Road, Johnsonville
Friday, Oct. 9: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Schenectady:
Schenectady County Department of Engineering and Public Works
100 Kellar Ave, Schenectady
Friday, Oct. 9: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 10: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

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 damage to our equipment can be assessed and restoration plans can be executed.
  • It's normal for outage numbers and Estimated Restoration Times to fluctuate as we de-energize lines to make conditions safe for repairs. Additionally, there could be new outages that occur if strong, damaging winds 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.

The Restoration Process

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 main transmission facilities, including towers, poles and high-tension wires that deliver power to thousands of customers. Recovery work at local substations also is a top priority, followed by repairs to neighborhood circuits, transformers and service wires. Click here for information about the company’s restoration process.

As restoration work continues, National Grid continues to urge the public to be cautious around downed wires and debris, and offers the following safety tips:

Electricity & Generator Safety

  • If a power outage occurs, customers can notify National Grid online to expedite restoration.
  • Never touch downed power lines; always assume they are carrying live electricity. Downed lines should be immediately reported to National Grid at 1-800-867-5222 or by calling 911
  • 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.)
  • Keep a number of working flashlights and an extra supply of batteries in your home.
  • Charge all electronic devices.
  • 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.

Stay informed and connected:

  • Customers can receive personalized alerts by text, email, and/or phone when an outage is detected at their property by enrolling in the company’s outage alert option. To register, text REG to 64743, enter your National Grid electricity account number and select your preferred method(s) of notification. 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 register to receive email alerts.

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

For more information, please visit our website, follow us on X (formerly Twitter), watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find us on Instagram.

Media Contacts

Patrick Stella

Albany (Eastern NY)

518-433-3838

Send an email to Contact 1

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