National Grid’s expanded field force has worked around the clock to restore service to more than 142,800 of the over 150,100 customers (95%), affected by the destructive winter storm that struck Upstate New York beginning Sunday evening.

“We were proactive in mobilizing a workforce before the storm hit that matched the severity of the forecasts, allowing us to keep pace with outages as it was safe to do so,” said Kyle Bentley, Vice President of New York Electric Operations. “Our crews have made significant progress at restoring customers considering the difficult weather conditions and hazards in the field.”

The company deployed nearly 3,400 line, tree, public safety and damage assessment specialists beginning Sunday to remove broken tree limbs and uprooted trees, and repair downed lines, broken poles, and other infrastructure damaged by the storm.

Some areas in the region saw ice accretion of a half inch on power lines and trees, compounded by damaging winds with gusts of more than 70 mph and ongoing heavy snow. This combination of elements caused widespread damage. Fallen trees and limbs in urban and rural areas have created access issues, and snow accumulation across some regions has created additional challenges for crews.

Among the hardest hit areas were Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Genesee, Monroe, Niagara, Orleans and Wyoming counties in Western New York; Herkimer County in the Mohawk Valley; and Albany, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Saratoga and Washington counties in Eastern New York. National Grid crews have been supplemented with outside resources from across the Northeast, Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, and Canada.

“We are working to restore customers as quickly as possible, and the safety of the public and our crews are at the front of our minds,” Bentley said. “We urge our customers to heed local travel restrictions that may have been issued, and proceed with caution when driving near utility crews working in the field.”

Estimated Times of Restoration

The company is providing the following general estimated times of restoration for customers who remain without service. 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 Eastern New York who remain without service due to the storm are projected to have power restored by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday. Isolated and scattered single customer outages in the hardest-to-access areas could potentially extend into Wednesday.

Customers in Western New York who remain without service due to the storm are expected to have power restored by 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, with isolated and scattered single customer outages in the hardest-to-access areas potentially extending into Wednesday.

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.

Bentley added, “I want to extend my gratitude to the many police, fire, public works, municipal officials, and other volunteers who continue to support our customers and our communities during recovery from this storm.”

The Restoration Process

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 winds continue or other weather hazards emerge.

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 comes repairs to main transmission facilities, including towers, poles, and high-tension wires that deliver power to thousands of customers. Recovery work at local substations is also a high priority, followed by repairs to neighborhood circuits, transformers, and service wires. Watch the video on how National Grid restores power after a storm.

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. 
• 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

Snow and ice accumulation on roofs and eaves can place a burden on electricity service wires and the connections – 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 hazard.

National Grid also reminds home and building owners to be especially cautious as they work to clear snow and ice by following these safety recommendations:

• Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines at all times.
• Keep all ladders, shovels, roof rakes and other devices clear of any lines coming from the street to the structure, regardless of the material the equipment is made from. In 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.
• Learn more about power line safety at our website.

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.
• Stay tuned to local news outlets or the National Weather Service for storm updates, weather alerts.
• 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

As always, 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.

• 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.
• 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.
  
  
• 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.
• Read details on the company’s storm preparation and restoration process.
  
  

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) delivers electricity and natural gas to more than 20 million people across New York and Massachusetts. We’re committed to meeting our customers’ energy needs and supporting economic growth across the regions we serve—providing safe, reliable energy today and building the resilient networks of the future. National Grid Ventures, our commercial business, develops and operates infrastructure that delivers affordable and reliable energy to consumers. National Grid Partners, our corporate investment and innovation arm, invests in and collaborates with technology companies that are transforming the energy sector and accelerating industry-wide innovation.