National Grid’s field force of more than 3,200 highly skilled workers continues to battle lake effect snow and gusty winds as they work to restore service to customers affected by the destructive winter storm that began Wednesday in Upstate New York. As of 7 p.m. Thursday, the company has restored power to 175,200, or 90%, of the nearly 194,000 customers who lost service.

The storm brought damaging winds to Central, Eastern and Northern New York – including wind gusts of up to 72 mph recorded in Essex County on Wednesday evening – and heavy snows measuring nearly a foot in some areas of Madison, Oneida, Onondaga and Oswego counties. The combination of sustained heavy winds and snow caused widespread damage to the company’s electric transmission and distribution systems.

Crews have been challenged by icy and impassable roads, and difficult-to-reach equipment repairs in remote areas. Reports of debris-covered streets with wires down in cities and villages challenged cleanup efforts as municipalities and National Grid had to take additional time to make areas safe so that roads could be open.

“Our crews are working as quickly and as safely as possible to restore service to our customers in the face of difficult conditions,” said Kyle Bentley, Lead Director of New York Electric Operations. “We appreciate our customers’ patience and understanding in light of the conditions and knowing that our crews are out there working as hard as they can to restore their power.”

Areas hardest hit by the storm include Essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Otsego, Saratoga, Schoharie, Warren and Washington counties in Eastern New York, and Herkimer, Lewis, Madison, Oneida, and Oswego counties in Central New York. Among the tasks at hand is replacing more than 200 broken utility poles, a labor-intensive task that can take a single crew with specialized equipment four to six hours for a single pole. Significant tree damage is widespread, requiring trained forestry teams to cut back broken limbs and trunks so work may proceed.

Estimated Times of Restoration for Central and Eastern New York Customers

The company is providing the following general estimated times of restoration for customers who remain without service due to the storm. Power is being consistently restored to customers in these regions and ETRs are updated on the company’s Outage Central site. Additionally, customers can check on the power restoration estimate for their specific address by logging into our Report or Check an Outage page.

National Grid crews will do everything within their control to complete restoration as quickly as possible. The company’s extensive resources will remain in the region until the last outage is repaired.

In Eastern New York:

• Customers in Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady counties are expected to have power restored by 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Isolated and scattered single-customer outages in the hardest-to-access areas may potentially extend into Friday.
• Customers in Essex, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Otsego, Saratoga, Schoharie, Warren and Washington counties are expected to have power restored by 11:30 p.m. Friday. Isolated and scattered single-customer outages in the hardest-to-access areas may potentially extend into Saturday.

In Central New York:

• Customers in Clinton, Franklin, Jefferson, Lewis, Onondaga, Oswego and St. Lawrence counties are expected to have power restored by 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Isolated and scattered single-customer outages in the hardest-to-access areas may potentially extend into Friday.
• Customers in Herkimer, Madison and Oneida counties are expected to have power restored by 11:30 p.m. Friday. Isolated and scattered single-customer outages in the hardest-to-access areas may potentially extend into Saturday.

In Western New York:

• All customers are expected to have power restored by 11:30 p.m. Thursday. Isolated and scattered single-customer outages in the hardest-to-access areas could potentially extend into Friday.

Dry Ice and Bottled Water Locations for Eastern New York

National Grid will distribute dry ice and bottled water tomorrow in Eastern New York locations hit hardest by the storm. Customers are asked to bring a cooler or paper grocery bags to transport dry ice and company personnel will provide information about the proper handling of dry ice.  

Dry ice and bottled water distribution locations for Friday, March 1 from noon to 4 p.m.

Additional distribution sites and times may be announced depending on community needs. Tomorrow’s locations, as well as any new sites, will be listed on National Grid’s Outage Map, on the company’s X (formerly known as Twitter) and Facebook accounts, and announced to media via press releases.

The Restoration Process

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 comes repairs to main transmission facilities, including towers, poles and high-tension wires that deliver power to thousands of customers. Recovery work at local substations also is a high priority, followed by repairs to neighborhood circuits, transformers and service wires. Click here for a video on how National Grid restores power after a storm.

Estimated Restoration Times

• In the early stages of a storm, the 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 damage to our equipment can be assessed and restoration plans can be executed. 
• It's normal for outage numbers and Estimated Restoration Times to fluctuate as we de-energize lines to make conditions safe for repairs. Additionally, there could be new outages that occur if strong, damaging winds and heavy snowfall continues.
• 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.

The company also encourages customers to keep safety a priority with the following reminders:

Electricity & Generator Safety

• 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.
• Keep working flashlights and an extra supply of batteries in your home and be sure to charge all electronic devices.
• 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

• Always use extreme caution near downed power lines and wires, 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.
• Click here for more downed power line safety tips.

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.
• 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 X (formerly known as Twitter) (formerly known as Twitter) , and like us on Facebook.
• Click here for details on the company’s storm preparation and restoration process.

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.