03/15/2023 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 03/15/2023 10:56
National Grid's eastern New York field force has grown to more than 3,300 line, service, tree, damage assessment and public safety workers who continue around-the-clock power restoration as the destructive three-day nor'easter moves out of the region today. As of 11 a.m. crews have restored service to nearly 125,000, or 90 percent, of the nearly 139,000 Greater Capital Region customers who lost electricity service due to the storm's extensive damage.
The long-duration nor'easter brought more than two feet of snow and 45 mph winds to some locations, which resulted in uprooted trees, downed tree limbs and wires, broken poles and damaged transformers. The storm created hazardous travel and work conditions, as well as equipment damage in remote, wooded areas off roadways. The hardest-hit counties include Columbia, Essex, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren and Washington.
National Grid estimates power will be restored by 11:30 p.m. today for customers who remain without service due to the storm, with isolated and scattered single customer outages in the hardest-to-access areas potentially extending into Thursday morning. Crews will do everything within their control to complete restoration as quickly and as safely as possible. The most accurate way for customers to check on the power restoration estimate for their specific address is to log into National Grid's Report or Check Outage page.
The company reminds customers who are without service when their neighbors have had power restored to call National Grid at 1-800-867-5222 or report the outage report through our website.
"We thank all of our customers for their continued patience and understanding as we advance closer to completing service restoration. Our field force will remain active in the region until the last outage is resolved," said Matt Barnett, National Grid's vice president of electric operations. "On behalf of National Grid, I want to extend a special thanks to the police, fire, public works, municipal officials, and other volunteers who continue to support our customers and our communities during the post-storm recovery."
To support customers impacted by the nor'easter, National Grid will distribute dry ice and bottled water at targeted locations hardest hit by the storm from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. today. 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.
Rensselaer County |
Washington County |
March 15: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Rensselaer County Office Building 99 Troy Road East Greenbush, NY 12061 |
March 15: 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Argyle Fire Department 5072 State Route 40 Argyle, NY 12809 |
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 about how National Grid restores power after a storm.
The company also offers the following important safety reminders for customers and snow removal contractors who are clearing snow near electricity and gas equipment.
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.
National Grid also reminds home and building owners to be especially cautious as they work to clear snow and ice by following these safety recommendations:
Customers are reminded to remain aware of potential safety hazards such as damaged trees, particularly broken limbs that haven't yet fallen to the ground. As always, customers are reminded to keep safety a priority by avoiding downed wires. All wires should be considered live and should be immediately reported to National Grid at 1-800-867-5222 or by calling 911.