5:30 PM NYSEG Nearing Full Restoration Following Wind Storm
NYSEG aims to complete most restoration efforts Monday night
Sunday’s storm affected more than 112,000 customers
BINGHAMTON, N.Y. — March 17, 2025, 5:30 p.m. — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) continues to restore power to customers affected Sunday by high winds. All told, more than 112,000 customers across the state were affected, with approximately 7,500 customers still without power as of late Monday afternoon.
Crews worked around the clock and through treacherous conditions, including high winds and cold temperatures to restore power quickly to communities affected. The hardest hit area was the Elmira Division, which includes portions of Steuben, Schuyler, and Chemung Counties. Other divisions with significant outages include Ithaca, Auburn, Oneonta, and Binghamton.
Most customers affected can expect their power to be restored by 11 p.m. Monday night. Some Elmira customers have an estimated time of restoration of 4 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, as transmission lines in that area sustained damage and require more time to repair. NYSEG crews will continue to assess the extent of damage and make critical network repairs as safely and quickly as possible. This includes setting poles to replace those damaged in the storm and repairing numerous downed wires. Efforts will continue until every customer has their power restored.
The Company urges customers to stay away from storm debris as it may contain downed wires or other damaged equipment. The Company is coordinating response efforts with state and local emergency management authorities.
NYSEG will continue to provide updates throughout the event to the general public on the Company’s social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, and X). The Company also offers customers the following reminders.
Outage Information
- Sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates automatically by phone, text, or email as the companies update the status of the restoration process in their area. Customers can sign up for outage alerts by visiting here for NYSEG.
- Customers can use the NYSEG Mobile App to report and check the status of outages. To download the application, customers should search “AVANGRID” in the Apple or Android app stores and select “NYSEG.” The application is free to download.
Stay away from downed wires
- Stay at least 30 feet from a downed power line.
- If a downed wire comes in contact with your vehicle, stay inside and wait for help. If you must get out because of fire or other danger, jump clear of the vehicle to avoid any contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Land with your feet together and hop with feet together or shuffle away; don’t run or stride.
- NYSEG customers should call 1.800.572.1131 to report downed power lines or other hazardous situations.
During a power interruption
- Contact neighbors to see if their power is off. A loss of power may be the result of a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker.
- To report a power interruption, use the NYSEG Mobile App, visit nyseg.com or contact NYSEG at 1.800.572.1131.
- Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible. Most food will last 24 hours if you minimize the opening of refrigerator and freezer doors.
Power restoration priorities
The companies’ first priorities are to respond to reports of downed power lines to keep the public safe. NYSEG customers are asked to call 1.800.572.1131 to report downed wires. Once this vital public safety work is complete, the company will:
- Assess the damage to the electricity delivery system.
- Develop a detailed restoration plan.
- Make repairs as quickly as possible.
For additional information, including storm preparation tips, storm safety information, generator safety information, restoration priorities and emergency resources, visit Outage Central at nyseg.com and on the company’s social media pages:
NYSEG is a subsidiary of Avangrid, Inc.
# # #
Media Contact:
Shelby Cohen
Shelby.cohen@avangrid.com
607.788.6785