Con Edison: newsroom - news release - Morning Update: Nearly 147,000 Customers Restored

News

Con Edison Media Relations
For Immediate Release: March 17, 2010
7:30 a.m.

Morning Update

NEARLY 147,000 CUSTOMERS RESTORED

NEW YORK — Con Edison, with an assist from out-of-state utility crews and contractors, has placed nearly 147,000 electrical customers back in service since last weekend’s devastating wind and rainstorm.

“We’ve made significant progress, but we won’t be satisfied until every one of our customers is back in service,” said John Miksad, senior vice president of Electric Operations. “We will have even more out-of-state utility crews on the streets today and expect to see the number of outages drop significantly again by this evening.”

As of 6 a.m. today, approximately 26,000 customers remained without power. The areas most affected were Westchester, where approximately 24,000 customers were out, and Staten Island, where fewer than 1,200 remained without service. The Bronx has about 700 customers out of service.

Thousands of company support personnel are continuing to work around the clock to help the crews that are addressing the most destructive rain and windstorm to hit New York City and Westchester in decades.

Restoration crews are expected to swell to 675 today as the additional out-of-state utility crews arrive. Utilities from Michigan, Ohio, Georgia, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Kentucky and Massachusetts are assisting Con Edison’s crews.

The company expects to have all storm-related outages in the Bronx restored by this afternoon, followed by Staten Island on Thursday evening, and Westchester on Friday. All Brooklyn and Queens customers affected by the storm have been restored.

Con Edison’s dry ice distribution will continue today at four locations in Westchester and at one in Staten Island. Dry ice will be distributed tonight until 8 p.m.

Customers who have already reported their outage need not call Con Edison again. They will be called by Con Edison when their estimated restoration time has been established.

Customers experiencing any new outages are urged to call Con Edison immediately at 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). Customers also can report power interruptions and service problems at www.conEd.com, or on their cell phones or PDAs. When reporting an outage, customers should have their Con Edison account number available, if possible, and report whether their neighbors also have lost power.

Con Edison reminds everyone of the following tips to stay safe, whether during or after a storm:

If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Treat all downed wires as if they are live. Never attempt to move or touch them with any object. Be mindful that downed wires can be hidden from view by tree limbs, leaves or water. Report all downed wires to Con Edison and your local police department immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you’re in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel.
If your power goes out, turn off all lights and appliances to prevent overloaded circuits when power is restored. Leave at least one light switch in the on position to alert you once power is restored.
Check to make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios or televisions are in working order. Use candles and oil lamps with care. Also, be sure to have an extra supply of batteries. Weather updates and news on restorations of electrical service can be heard on most local radio and television stations.

The company continues to remain in close contact with the New York City Office of Emergency Management and the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services to coordinate storm response as needed.

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