NYSEG releases daily restoration plan to restore power to customers

Expects to restore 95% of customers by 10 p.m.

New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) released its daily restoration plan for work that will be completed today. Notably, the company expects to complete any remaining damage assessment and make-safe activities, focusing resources on restoration work. Currently, approximately 2,400 customers are without power in the company’s Lancaster division, which includes Cattaraugus, Chautauqua and Erie counties. NYSEG also announced it expects to restore 95% of customers in the division by 10 p.m.

The company expressed appreciation and empathy for customers that went without power overnight.

Details of Saturday’s work plan include:

•Crew Information: As restorations in other areas have been completed, the company has continued to shift resources into areas with a high number of outage incidents and customers without power. To supplement the more than 1,500 field resources currently engaged in restoration activities, the company has continued to onboard additional resources as they become available. 

•Restoration Work: Softened soil conditions, as a result of thawing ground conditions and melting snow, coupled with severe winds, caused a significant amount of fallen trees and limbs, resulting in broken poles, downed wires and damage to other electrical equipment. As such, the crews will place particular emphasis on replacing broken poles, stringing new wire and replacing other damaged equipment, such as transformers.

•COVID-19 Vaccination Sites: Consistent with the initial response strategy, the company will continue to closely monitor the reliability of service at major COVID-19 vaccination sites. Throughout the storm, repairs to impacted sites were prioritized to ensure a continuity in operations.

•Safety and Restoration Information: NYSEG will continue to provide updates throughout the event to the general public on the company’s website and social media channels (Facebook and Twitter). The company also offers customers the following reminders to stay safe.

Outage Information

√ Use the company’s 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 for NYSEG .

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 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 www.NYSEG.com and on the company’s social media pages:

Facebook: @NYSEandG

Twitter: @NYSEandG