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National Grid to Restore Power Today to all Western New York Customers Impacted by Historic Blizzard

Dec 28, 2022 - 4:30 PM

Categories:

Upstate NY

Storm Response

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National Grid would like to thank its local, state and national partners who have helped clear access so that the company’s field force could reach customers after an historic blizzard resulted in 108,000 western New York customers losing power. As part of its emergency response, National Grid deployed more than 3,200 restoration experts — including line, service, tree, damage assessment and public safety workers — and expects the approximately 158 customers who remain without service because of this storm to have power restored today.

“We thank our customers for their support and patience, and we are incredibly grateful to all first responders, and the state and local agencies who have come together to help our neighbors in need,” said Rudy Wynter, National Grid’s New York President. “We can’t thank local leaders enough for assisting our teams in reaching damaged equipment in need of repair, and by sharing their insights and knowledge of the neighborhoods and communities affected. We want every customer to know that all of us at National Grid will not stop until every customer’s power is restored, and we will be here long after the lights are back on to help this community recover.”

The destructive combination of sustained high winds and heavy snow caused significant damage to National Grid’s electricity system. The company’s massive field force, the largest in western New York history, was assisted by a team of logistics experts who ensured crews had the resources and accommodations they needed to deliver for our customers.

Historic Buffalo Blizzard: By the Numbers

Damaged infrastructure

Logistics and support

  • 108,000 homes and businesses affected
  • 3,200 workers in the field
  • 148 broken poles
  • 137 damaged transformers

 

  • 14 states/provinces sending utility and contractor crews (Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oklahoma, , Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee and Texas; Ontario and Quebec)
  • 400 workers behind the scenes supporting logistics, supply chain, planning, engineering, customer service, communications and administrative matters.
  • Lodging support for over 2,000 out of town personnel who answered the call
  • 80,000 crew meals served – an average of more than 10,000 meals per day.

Power is being consistently restored to customers in the region and estimated times of restoration are updated on the company’s Outage Central site. Additionally, customers can check on the power restoration estimates for their specific addresses by visiting our Report or Check an Outage page.

Customers who remain without power when their neighbors have been restored should call National Grid at 1-800-867-5222.

Claims Process for Food and/or Medication Spoilage

Residential customers who experienced an outage lasting more than 72 consecutive hours due to this storm may be eligible for reimbursement for food and/or prescription medication spoilage. Reimbursement claims for qualifying customers must be submitted by Jan. 10, 2023, and include an itemized list and proof of loss. Click here for additional details and National Grid’s online claim form. Claims also can be submitted through the U.S. Postal Service or by calling 315-428-3370.

Additionally, small business customers who experienced an outage lasting more than 72 consecutive hours due to this storm may be eligible for reimbursement for food spoilage. Customers will be required to provide an itemized list and proof of loss for any spoiled food and must submit their claim form by Jan. 10, 2023. Click here for additional details and an online claim form. Claims also can be submitted through the U.S. Postal Service or by calling 315-428-3370.

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. Customers also 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.
  • Keep working flashlights and an extra supply of batteries in your home and be sure to charge all electronic devices before the storm.
  • 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 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

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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 path to a more affordable, reliable clean energy future through our fossil-free vision. National Grid is transforming our electricity and natural gas networks with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions to meet the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. 
 
For more information, please visit our website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find our photos on Instagram.

Media Contacts

Dave Bertola

Buffalo (Western NY)

(716) 831-7136

Send an email to Contact 1

Jared Paventi

Syracuse (Central NY)

(315) 427-1092

Send an email to Contact 2

Patrick Stella

Albany (Eastern NY)

(518) 433-3838

Send an email to Contact 2

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