National Grid’s field force of more than 2,700 line, tree, damage and public safety specialists have been working around the clock to clear trees and tree branches, and repair downed power lines and broken equipment to restore service to customers in eastern New York after an early spring storm brought ice and heavy, wet snow to the region.

As of 4 p.m., crews have restored power to 212,000 of the nearly 217,000 customers (98%) affected by the storm. Some areas in the region saw ice accretion of a half-inch on power lines and trees, compounded by more than 20 inches of snow and gusty winds. This combination of elements caused extensive, widespread damage, and fallen trees and associated debris created access issues for company crews.

National Grid’s field force from across New York was pre-positioned in advance of the storm and has been supplemented with outside resources from across the northeast and Canada.

“We understand that being without power for long periods of time is inconvenient, frustrating and, in some cases, worrying for people,” said Kyle Bentley, Lead Director of New York Electric Operations. “Our commitment to restoring power as safely and quickly as possible is a serious responsibility and remains our priority.”

Bentley added, “Strong relationships with local municipal governments, police, fire and public works departments, and volunteer groups are essential during storms and we thank these groups for their hard work and unwavering dedication to serve our customers and communities.”

Estimated Times of Restoration for Eastern New York Customers

The company is providing the following general estimated times of restoration for customers who remain without service in Eastern New York. Power is being consistently restored to customers across the region and ETRs are updated on the company’s Outage Central site. Additionally, customers can check on the power restoration estimate for their specific address by logging into our Report or Check an Outage page.

National Grid customers in Albany and Rensselaer counties who remain without service due to this storm are projected to have power restored by 11:30 p.m. tonight. Isolated and scattered single customer outages in the hardest-to-access areas could potentially extend into Tuesday. In these cases, customers are encouraged to check the company’s website for the latest ETRs for their specific area.

National Grid crews will do everything within their control to complete restoration as quickly and as safely as possible. The company’s extensive resources will remain in the region until every outage is repaired.

Estimated Restoration Times

• In the early stages of a storm, the 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. Click here for a video on how National Grid restores power after a storm.
• 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 and heavy snowfall continues.
• 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.

Clearing Snow and Ice Buildup

Customers are reminded to use caution when there is snow and ice buildup on their home. 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 risk. The company also offers the following safety tips for working around energy infrastructure on your home:

• 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 deadly carbon 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. Gently remove icicles from the meter with a gloved hand, if necessary. Never kicking your meter or use a snow shovel to knock ice away.

Electricity & Generator Safety

• 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.
• If the power is out, use flashlights or other battery-powered lights. Do not use candles, which can pose a fire hazard.
• 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

• Always use extreme caution near downed power lines and wires, 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.

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 properties.
• 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 check outage status, report an outage and see the latest storm-related news releases from the company by using the updated National Grid app, free to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play.
• Visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com, follow us on X and like us on Facebook.
• Click here for details on the company’s storm preparation and restoration process. 

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.