NYSEG and RG&E Continue Restoration Process Following Widespread Outages

Binghamton and Rochester, NEW YORK – NYSEG and RG&E, subsidiaries of AVANGRID, have more than 2,000 personnel on the ground making repairs to the companies’ electricity delivery systems that were severely damaged by a significant wind storm beginning Wednesday afternoon.

The storm damage resulted in more than 201,000 outages to homes and businesses. RG&E will have the vast majority (more than 90%) of customers affected by the storm restored by midnight Sunday. NYSEG will have the majority of customers affected by the storm restored by 11 p.m. Saturday.

Outages and Estimated Times of Restoration (ETRs) for 90 percent of the affected customers are listed below:
 

NYSEG Customers

County	Outages	ETR
Cattaraugus	28	11 p.m., Saturday
Chautauqua	58	11 p.m., Saturday
Erie	6,786	11 p.m., Saturday
Niagara	118	11 p.m., Friday
Wyoming	1,707	11 p.m., Saturday

RG&E Customers

County	Outages	ETR
Cayuga	37	Midnight, Sunday
Monroe	58,000	Midnight, Sunday
Ontario	9	Midnight, Sunday
Wayne	4,520	Midnight, Sunday

Outage counts on the companies’ websites include storm-related outages as well as new outages unrelated to the initial high winds. Customers can get the latest outage counts; outage locations by county, municipality and streets/roads; and estimated restoration times (as they are available) on the companies’ websites: NYSEG Outage informaton or List of Electricity Outages.

NYSEG and RG&E also encourage customers to sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates throughout the day automatically by phone, text, or e-mail as the companies update the status of the restoration process in their area. Customers can sign up by visiting the NYSEG website at NYSEG Outage alert or at the RG&E website at Outage Alerts.

The following areas are distribution sites for dry ice and water. Supplies are distributed on a first come, first served basis, until they run out.

County	Town	Location	Times
Monroe	Greece	Greece Highway Department Building, 647 Long Pond Road	Open 24/7
Monroe	Henrietta	Rochester Fire Dept - Engine #8, 2695 W. Henrietta  Friday 3/10, Saturday, 3/11 and Sunday 3/12	8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Monroe	Irondequoit	Ridge/Culver Fire Department, 2960 Culver Road	Open 24/7
Wayne	Walworth	Walworth Fire Department, 2178 Church Street  Bottled water only	On-going

Power Restoration Priorities

Our first priority is responding to known incidents of downed power lines to make the situations safe. 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.

How We Go About Restoring Power

Following Major Storms We first repair the backbone of the electricity system - transmission lines and substations - that bring electricity to the local distribution system that serves our customers. We then make any necessary repairs to the distribution system that includes the poles and power lines along streets and roads, focusing first on those circuits where we can restore power to the largest number of customers. As part of this process, we take into account the needs of hospitals, nursing homes, fire and police stations, as well as any other critical infrastructure. This is a time-proven process that ensures we safely restore service as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Customers should remember these tips:

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 800.572.1131 or RG&E at 800.743.1701. Our telephone systems let callers report the problem, help our crews respond quickly and efficiently, and provide customers with power interruption updates. Because many people may be trying to reach us during a power interruption, phone lines may be busy. Anyone who has access to a working computer or mobile device during a power interruption can also report the interruption online at nyseg.com or rge.com.
• Listen to a battery-powered radio for weather and power restoration updates.
• Turn off major appliances (electric water heaters, refrigerators and freezers) and sensitive electronic equipment (TVs, VCRs, DVD players, computers, audio equipment) to prevent overloading and possible damage when power is restored. Turning off this equipment may mean unplugging it, turning off a circuit breaker or removing a fuse for the circuit that provides power to this equipment. Leave one light switch “on” to know when power has been restored.
• Don’t use a natural gas or propane range to heat your home.
• Never use outdoor grills or stoves inside.
• 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.

After Power Is Restored

• If a basement or home was flooded, customers should have an electrician check the home and have a plumbing and heating contractor check natural gas appliances before contacting your utility to have services turned on.
• Turn on appliances and sensitive electronic equipment one at a time to avoid overloading circuits.
• Replenish emergency supplies used during the storm.
• Additional storm safety information is available at nyseg.com or rge.com (click on “Outage Central” and then on “Storm Safety”).

Media Contacts:
Juanita Washington
juanita.washington@avangrid.com
585.724.8948