National Grid Continues to Partner with Multi-Agency Coalition to Prioritize Road Clearance, Gain Access for Power Restoration in Western New York
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National Grid continues to partner with a coalition of state and local emergency response organizations to identify and prioritize areas for road clearance to facilitate access for power restoration crews after a multi-day blizzard crippled western New York. Snow is expected to continue today with up to an additional 12 inches of accumulation that may further impact restoration efforts.
As of 11 a.m. the company has restored service to 89,500 of more than 100,000 impacted western New York customers. National Grid’s field force has grown to more than 2,000 restoration experts who are blanketing the region, including support from National Grid crews from across New York and Massachusetts, as well as mutual aid from other New York utilities, and contractors traveling to the region from as far away as Canada, Iowa, Texas, and Oklahoma.
“Our thousands of workers are on the ground in Buffalo -- including line, service, tree, damage assessment and public safety workers – and we remain ready to restore service as soon as we are able to gain access to the outages,” said Matt Barnett, National Grid’s Vice President of Electric Operations “We have the resources to restore service, and we are continuing to partner with local and state agencies who are clearing previously impassable roads and coordinating access to areas that are difficult to reach so that we can remove debris, make repairs and safely restore service.”
The storm left the most damage in Erie, Niagara and Orleans counties. While blizzard conditions and winds have lessened, unsafe travel conditions persist across the region. Most of the remaining customers without service live in the City of Buffalo, where the storm hit hardest and DPW crews continue to unbury main and side streets. An additional challenge to restoring electricity service in many Buffalo-area neighborhoods is that power is delivered by poles and wires in backyards. This type of restoration is labor- and time-intensive because it requires line workers to manually carry repair equipment into snow-covered backyards that can’t be accessed by utility vehicles.
Due to the unprecedented severity of this storm the company expects outages in the hardest-hit areas to last more than 48 hours after the storm subsides. The company’s expanded field force will continue to work around the clock to restore power as quickly and safely as possible in challenging conditions.
A list of warming centers can be found by clicking on the warming shelter icon on National Grid's Outage Central map. Additionally, in compliance with New York Public Service Commission requirements, National Grid will distribute free dry ice and bottled water from noon to 4 p.m. today at Niagara Falls Fire Department Station 8, 320 Hyde Park Blvd., Niagara Falls. Customers are asked to bring a cooler or paper grocery bags to transport dry ice to their homes, and company personnel will provide information about its proper handling.
The Restoration Process
When it is safe to do so, 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. Next come repairs to the facilities that serve the largest number of customers such as main transmission facilities, followed by recovery work at local substations and repairs to neighborhood circuits, transformers and service wires. Click here to learn more about the company’s restoration process.
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. Please see infographic below for a description of National Grid’s restoration process.
- It's normal for outage numbers and estimated times of restoration 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 and snow 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.
Safety Reminders
- If a power outage occurs, customers can notify National Grid online to expedite restoration.
- 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.
- 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.
Safety Near Downed Power Lines
- Stay away from downed power lines and wires; use caution if one is nearby, and always assume that they are carrying live electricity.
- Never touch a person or an object that is in contact with a downed line, as electricity can pass through to you.
- Take caution when approaching fallen trees, which could have power lines caught in them.
- Remember that water can conduct electricity. If you see a line down in a puddle or flooded area, avoid contact with the water to prevent risk of shock.
- Learn more about downed power line safety at our website.
Electricity Safety
- The photos below illustrate how snow and ice accumulation on roofs can place a burden on electricity service wires - also known as the weatherhead - that bring energy into the home.
- These wires are live and are a potential hazard to anyone attempting to clear snow.
- As snow and ice are removed, inspect the connection point from a safe distance to be sure that it hasn’t been pulled away from the house, which would create a potential fire hazard.
- Stay at least 10 feet away from overhead power lines at all times.
- Keep all ladders, shovels, roof rakes and other devices well clear of any lines coming from the street to the structure, regardless of the material the equipment is made from. In wet conditions, even wood can conduct electricity.
- Start clearing snow from the opposite end of the roof from the service point where electricity is delivered.
- The buildup of ice and snow around or over natural gas meters, regulators and pipes can pose a serious safety risk. Ice and snow falling from a roof can damage gas meters or service connections to customers’ homes or businesses, resulting in potential gas leaks. Customers should take immediate action if a natural gas leak is suspected:
- Get out – All occupants should leave the house immediately. Do not use the telephone, light switches or automatic garage door openers for any reason.
- Call us – After leaving the house and reaching a safe environment, call National Grid’s 24-hour gas emergency number: 1-800-892-2345.
- Stay out – Don’t return to your home until your local gas provider tells you it is safe to do so.
- Cleared snow should never be piled around vents. A blocked vent can lead to the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide.
- The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of the flu, and can include headaches, weakness, confusion, chest tightness, skin redness, dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, heart fluttering or loss of muscle control. If you suspect carbon monoxide is present in your home, immediately go outside and breathe deeply. Then call 911.
- When clearing snow, customers and snow removal contractors should be aware of the location of natural gas equipment to avoid coming into contact with meters, hitting outside gas risers, or piling snow around vents mounted on the outside of buildings, which can cause the dilemma illustrated below:
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 property.
- 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.
- Customers can read the latest company news, check outage status and report an outage by using the National Grid app.
- Visit our website: www.nationalgridus.com, follow us on Twitter and friend us on Facebook
About National Grid
National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
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