Brewster: NYSEG Preparing for Remnants of Tropical Storm Henri - 5:30PM

Company prepares as rain and wind expected in the region

BINGHAMTON, New York — August 20, 2021, 4:30 p.m. — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) is preparing for wind and rain associated with Tropical Storm Henri, which is expected to impact its service area on Sunday. As a result of the storm, customers may experience service disruptions. The storm is expected to impact the company’s Brewster division, which includes areas of Dutchess, Putnam and Westchester counties.

Current forecasts call for winds and rain to begin on Sunday morning with potential wind gusts of 30-40 mph and 1-2 inches of rainfall. The company’s storm team continues to closely monitor the track of the storm as it moves up the coast. The company also encourages customers to monitor weather forecasts and prepare for the possibility of service interruptions, as winds and rain, coupled with already soft soil conditions, have the potential to bring down trees and limbs, causing damage to overhead power lines and other electrical equipment.

The company’s storm readiness team has been monitoring weather forecasts, planning, readying crews and equipment, mobilizing employees for storm duty and have additional contract tree and line crews ready to help restore service should outages occur.

Company Preparations

Readying Crews

In preparation for the event, the company is readying crews to assist with potential restoration efforts. Crews are being pre-staged in advance of the storm and the company has acquired additional contract line and tree resources to help restore service should outages occur.

Equipment Summary

Line and tree crews are prepared to respond, with company and contractor personnel readying bucket trucks, auger trucks, wood chippers, dump trucks and backhoes.

How to Stay Up to Date

NYSEG will provide updates throughout the event to the general public on their website and social media channels (Facebook and Twitter). Customers should also sign up for outage alerts and download the NYSEG mobile app to get the most up-to-date information.

Safety Tips

The company also offers customers the following reminders to prepare for the storm and stay safe if power outages do occur.

Before a storm strikes:

• Use our new 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.
• Sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates automatically by phone, text, or email as the company updates the status of the restoration process in their area. Customers can sign up for outage alerts by visiting here.
• Keep battery-operated flashlights and radios on hand, along with supplies of drinking water and non-perishable foods.
• Make sure that smart phones, tablets and other mobile devices are fully charged.
• Fill your car’s fuel tank.

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, 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.

If Flooding Occurs

• If flooding of a home or business has already occurred or is about to occur, customers should call 1.800.572.1131 to have electricity turned off; 1.800.572.1121 to have natural gas service turned off.
• Stay out of flooded basements. Energized wiring or outlets below the water line may pose a hazard; natural gas service in a flooded basement may also pose a danger.
• To have electricity service restored once flood waters have receded, customers should contact NYSEG (or their electric utility if it is not NYSEG) to discuss specific circumstances; a safety inspection by a certified electrical inspector may be necessary before service can be restored. Someone must be present for service to be turned on, the basement must be free of water and the electrical panel must be clean and free of debris. Customers and contractors should never attempt to turn on electricity service.
• To have natural gas service restored once flood waters have receded: If the natural gas meter and/or regulator were under water, customers must first contact NYSEG (or their natural gas company if it is not NYSEG). If any natural gas equipment (furnace, boiler, water heater, etc.) has been under water, they need to contact a plumbing and heating contractor to have the equipment checked. Customers can then contact their natural gas company to have service restored. Customers and contractors should never attempt to turn on natural gas service.

Power Restoration Priorities:

The company’s first priority is 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:

• Facebook: @NYSEandG
• Twitter: @NYSEandG

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