RG&E Offers Tips to Customers in Flood Prone Areas

ROCHESTER, NY— May 30, 2019 — RG&E, a subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc. (NYSE: AGR), is closely monitoring the increasing water levels along Lake Ontario in Monroe County. RG&E crews have been coordinating with emergency first responders to discuss appropriate steps involving potential shut-offs due to high water levels and erosion. 

RG&E encourages property owners in flood-prone areas and those who experience persistent basement flooding to consider how their electricity and natural gas services could be affected by the increasing water levels. By taking appropriate actions, residents affected by flooding can ensure their safety and lessen potential property damage.

Flooding Preparation and Safety Tips

  • If the flooding of a home or business has already occurred or has the potential to occur, customers should contact their utility companies to have electricity and natural gas service turned off. RG&E customers should call 1.800.743.1701 for electrical emergencies, 1.800.743.1702 for gas emergencies, or 911. Customers should never attempt to turn off their electricity and natural gas service.
  • Stay out of flooded basements. Energized wiring or outlets below the water line may pose a hazard; natural gas service in a flooded basement may also pose a danger.

Restoring Electric Service After Flooding

  • Anytime RG&E electric service is shut off due to an unsafe condition such as when the main fuse box or circuit breaker box is under water, it must be inspected by a certified electrical inspector before service can be restored.
  • Once flood waters have receded, customers should contact an electrician to make sure that it is safe to have electric service turned on before contacting their utility. 
  • Someone must be present for service to be turned on, the basement must be free of water and the electrical panel must be clean and free of debris. 
  • Customers and contractors should never attempt to turn on electric service.

Restoring Natural Gas Service After Flooding

  • To have RG&E natural gas service restored once flood waters have receded electric service must be turned on.
  • Customers should contact RG&E to have someone dispatched to reconnect the gas and turn on any appliances that were not affected by the flood water. 
  • If any appliances are affected by the floodwaters, they will be tagged and isolated by an RG&E representative. Customers will then be directed to seek a plumbing or heating contractor to make the necessary repairs. After repairs are made, RG&E will return to clear the tag and restore service. 
  • RG&E crews will also determine if the natural gas meter or regulator has been affected and will replace it as necessary.

 

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) is a leading, sustainable energy company with approximately $32 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states. AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving 3.2 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates 7.1 gigawatts of electricity capacity, primarily through wind power, with a presence in 22 states across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 6,500 people. AVANGRID supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2019 by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

About RG&E: Rochester Gas and Electric Corporation (RG&E) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1848, RG&E operates approximately 8,800 miles of electric distribution lines and 1,100 miles of electric transmission lines. It also operates approximately 10,600 miles of natural gas distribution pipelines and 105 miles of gas transmission pipelines. It serves approximately 378,500 electricity customers and 313,000 natural gas customers in a nine-county region in New York surrounding the City of Rochester. For more information, visit www.rge.com. 

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