RG&E to Continue Work Overnight - 10:15 pm

Crews to continue restoration efforts until every customer is restored

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — December 12, 2021, 10:15 p.m. —  Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) is continuing to work around the clock to address the remaining outages, which includes scattered damage serving individual or small groups of customers, often in outlying areas. Crews will work through the night and until every customer is restored. Currently, of the 54,366 total impacted customers, approximately 9,603 customers remain without power in Monroe County. Earlier this evening, the company announced that they expect to restore 95% of customers impacted by 11:30 p.m. Monday (12/13). The remaining customers without power will be restored Tuesday (12/14). 

Overnight Work Plan

Crews will continue to work during the overnight period, performing make-safe activities such as clearing downed wires and responding to additional system emergencies. Crews will also work on setting poles located on the roadside during the overnight. As crews work to make repairs, it’s possible that some customers that have already been restored may experience scattered outages that are necessary to complete additional work.

Damage Reports

Saturday’s winds caused widespread damage, breaking tree limbs and knocking over trees, that resulted in damage to RG&E’s electric system. The company’s damage assessors have reported roughly 600 downed wires and 118 broken poles throughout the service area. The company urges customers to stay away from any downed wires or downed trees that have wires entangled and report those to RG&E by calling 1.800.743.1701 or call 911.

Crew Information

The companies’ storm response teams are fully engaged and crews will continue to work throughout the overnight period and until every customer is restored. Currently, 2,000 field personnel engaged in storm response efforts statewide, with more than 860 of those resources stationed in the Rochester area. The companies are also coordinating response efforts with state and local emergency management authorities.

RG&E will continue to provide updates throughout the event to the general public on the company’s social media channels (Facebook and Twitter). The company also offer customers the following reminders to prepare for the storm and stay safe if power outages do occur.

Outage Information: 

• Sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates automatically by phone, text, or email as the company updates the status of the restoration process in their area. Customers can sign up for outage alerts by visiting here for RG&E.
• You can use our new mobile app to report and check the status of outages. To download the application, customers should search “AVANGRID” in the Apple or Android app stores and select “RG&E”. The application is free to download. 

Stay Away From Downed Wires

• Stay at least 30 feet from a downed power line.
• If a downed wire comes in contact with your vehicle, stay inside and wait for help. If you must get out because of fire or other danger, jump clear of the vehicle to avoid any contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Land with your feet together and hop with feet together or shuffle away; don’t run or stride.
• RG&E customers should call 1.800.743.1701 to report downed power lines or other hazardous situations.

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 RG&E at 1.800.743.1701.

Power Restoration Priorities:

The companies’ first priorities are to respond to reports of downed power lines to keep the public safe. RG&E customers are asked to call at 1.800.743.1701 to report downed wires. 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.

For additional information, including storm preparation tips, storm safety information, generator safety information, restoration priorities and emergency resources, visit Outage Central at RGE.com and on the company's social media pages:

• Facebook: @RochGandE 
• Twitter: @RGandE 

RG&E is subsidiary of AVANGRID Inc.

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