A National Grid field force of more than 1,200 workers in eastern New York continues to restore power after 24 hours of freezing rain, sleet, heavy snow, strong winds and a half-inch of icing impacted the region. Crews have been removing downed trees, tree limbs, broken poles and other hazards since early Friday morning. While power has been consistently restored to customers, the ongoing storm brought new damage and outages in the region. Among the hardest hit areas are Saratoga, Warren, Essex, Hamilton and Washington counties.

As of 9 a.m., approximately 78,000 of the 136,000 customers impacted by the storm have had their power restored. Crews will continue to work around the clock to address the remaining outages as quickly and safely as possible in challenging icing conditions.

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. At the same time, we’re conducting thorough damage assessments to refine estimated restoration times. Click here for a video on how National Grid restores power after a storm.

“This storm has been extremely damaging to our electricity system, especially in areas north of Saratoga,” said Keith McAfee, National Grid’s Vice President of Electric Operations. “We continue to work closely with local officials to coordinate restoration efforts and we’re asking customers to remain aware of potential safety hazards such as damaged trees, particularly broken limbs that haven’t yet fallen to the ground. We also ask that drivers use extreme caution as they approach work areas to ensure the safety of utility and other storm-response personnel.”

The company offers customers the following safety information:

Electricity & Generator Safety

• If a power outage occurs, customers can notify National Grid online to expedite restoration.

• Never touch downed power lines; always assume they are carrying live electricity. Downed lines should immediately be reported to National Grid at 1-800-867-5222 or by calling 911.
• 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.
• Keep a number of working flashlights and an extra supply of batteries in your home and be sure to charge all electronic devices before the storm.
• 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.

Use Caution When Addressing Ice and Snow Buildup 

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

• Gas customers should clear snow and ice from gas meters and regulators by gently using a snow brush or broom.  Never kick, hit or use sharp objects to remove snow and ice.  If a meter and/or regulator is encased in solid ice, call National Grid at 1-800-642-4272.
• Gas customers should ensure vents for all natural gas appliances are clear of snow and ice. Covered or clogged vents can lead to the build-up of poisonous carbon monoxide.  Customers who detect an odor of natural gas or suspect carbon monoxide is present in their home, should go outside immediately and breathe deeply. If CO poisoning symptoms, such as headaches or drowsiness, are severe, call 911 immediately.
• Customers experiencing gas odors or electricity emergencies should immediately call National Grid’s emergency number: 1-800-867-5222. 
• Keep all ladders, shovels, roof rakes and other devices well clear of any lines coming from the street to the structure.
• Start clearing snow from the opposite end of the roof from the service point where electricity is delivered.   
• If you are unsure of how to go about clearing snow and ice, or if your roof is particularly steep, contact a qualified roofing contractor.
• As snow is removed from the roof, be aware of what is below that could become buried as snow hits the ground.  Be especially mindful of the location of your electricity and gas meters, as they could be damaged by falling snow and ice.
• Snow removal equipment operators should also be aware of the presence of electricity and natural gas equipment and avoid coming in contact with meters or piling snow around vents and other equipment mounted on the outside of buildings.

Estimated Restoration Times

• In the early stages of a storm, 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 infrastructure damage can be assessed and restoration plans can be executed. 
• It's normal for outage numbers and ETRs to fluctuate. The numbers can go up and down as we de-energize lines to make conditions safe for repairs. Additionally, there could be new outages that occur as the strong, damaging winds continue.
• 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.

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.
• Visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com, follow us on Twitter and friend us on Facebook.

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