Brewster: NYSEG Responding After Wind and Rain Causes Power Outages, Releases Estimated Time of Restoration - 12 p.m.

Company expanding field resources to restore power as quick as possible

BINGHAMTON, New York — December 25, 2020, 12:00 p.m. — New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) is responding to outages caused by strong winds and rain that moved across the region overnight. Currently of the 27,375 customers that were impacted in the company’s Brewster division, 10,125 customers remain without power. The Brewster division includes Dutchess, Putnam, and Westchester counties.

Crews are expected to make significant progress and restore the majority of impacted customers today. The company announced that it expects to restore 95% of all impacted customers in the Brewster division by 11 p.m. Saturday and noted that estimated times of restoration (ETRs) will continue to be refined and updated as work progresses and additional resources arrive in this hardest hit area of the state.

The weather event, which included wind gusts reaching 71 mph, moved across the state early this morning and caused significant impacts to the electrical systems as a result of fallen trees, branches and other vegetation. The fallen debris has also created multiple blocked roadways throughout the region. Crews worked through the overnight to clear downed wires and trees, make safe work sites, and restore power to impacted customers. Upon daylight, the company is working to complete a thorough damage assessment and crews will continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to restore customers.

The company is onboarding additional crews to join the restoration efforts, including resources from its sister company, United Illuminating, and from Texas and Wisconsin, which were secured before the storm and arrived today. Additionally, while the company pre-staged a number of crews in the southeast portion of the state in anticipation of storms, the company is shifting additional resources from areas less impacted into the region. As a result, the company has more than 300 field resources involved locally in today’s response, with more expected to be onboarded as the response continues.

Crews will continue to work until the job is done and every customer is restored. The company understands the inconvenience and challenges that any disruption in service may cause, especially during the holidays. The company assures customers that crews are working around the clock to restore power as quickly as possible.

Outage Information

  • 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 .
  • You can 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.

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.

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 and the company’s social media pages:

  • Facebook: @NYSEandG
  • Twitter: @NYSEandG
 

 

Media Contacts:

  • Sarah Warren
    sarah.warren@avangrid.com
    585.794.9253
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