Storm activity took down this power pole in Newfane, N.Y. and is one of several that National Grid crews are replacing as part of ongoing efforts to restore service to impacted customers.

National Grid’s field force of more than 2,350 workers continues to battle high winds as they restore power and assess damage to customers that were impacted by the Western New York storm that swept across Western New York late Wednesday and into today. The storm’s damaging winds are expected to continue until late this evening. The company has mobilized internal line, field and tree crews and secured external resources to support restoration efforts. Today, those crews are focusing on public safety as they remove downed wires, trees, tree limbs and broken poles to assess damage and restore service.  

As of 11:00 a.m., the company has restored service to 45,000 of the more than 49,300 customers impacted by the storm, which brought sustained wind gusts of more than 55 mph and caused widespread damage to the company’s electric delivery system. National Grid’s hardest hit areas are Erie County and include the City of Buffalo, plus suburban areas that include Amherst and Cheektowaga. Other areas in Western New York where customers experienced power outages include Niagara, Cattaraugus, Orleans and Allegany counties.

“This storm caused damage to our electric system, and, as winds persist throughout Thanksgiving Day, our crews will continue to be out there in full force to return service to customers as quickly and safely as possible.” said Kyle Bentley, National Grid’s New York Vice President of Transmission and Electric Distribution.

Customers are reminded to be aware of potential safety hazards such as damaged trees, particularly broken limbs that haven’t yet fallen to the ground. As always, all downed wires should be considered live and dangerous and should immediately be reported to National Grid at 1-800-867-5222 or by calling 911. Learn more about downed power line safety at our website.

Customers can monitor restoration progress on National Grid’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. The company’s extensive resources will remain in the region until the last outage is repaired.

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 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 for an infographic on the company’s restoration process.

Estimated Restoration Times

• In the early stages of storm cleanup, 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. 
• 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 that are separate from the storm-related outages. 
• Once restoration is completed, National Grid crews will remain in the field for a number of days as storm cleanup continues. The company urges drivers to use extreme caution as they approach work areas, to ensure the safety of utility and other storm-response personnel.
• 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 an Outage page.
• Any customer who remains without power when their neighbors have been restored should call us at 1-800-867-5222.
  
  

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 and be sure to charge all electronic devices.
• Please drive carefully and use caution when driving near any crews working to restore power.
• Be sure to check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage.
  
  

Stay informed and connected:

• For real-time power outage information, online outage reporting, and in-depth storm safety information, visit National Grid’s Outage Central website.
• Customers are encouraged to make sure that National Grid has their correct addresses and phone numbers on file. Customers who create online profiles also can register for email alerts.
• To receive text message alerts and updates from National Grid, text the word STORM to NGRID (64743). Online and text alert services can be started and stopped at the customer’s request.
• Visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com, follow us on X (formerly known as Twitter) and like us on Facebook.
• Click here for a video on how National Grid restores power after a major storm.

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.