Con Edison: newsroom - news release - Evening Update: Power Back To Over 157,000

News

Con Edison Media Relations
For Immediate Release: March 17, 2010
7:00 p.m.

Evening Update

POWER BACK TO OVER 157,000

NEW YORK —Con Edison and out-of-state utility crews and contractors have restored over 157,000 customers. Westchester customers remaining out now number under 15,000. In Staten Island, fewer than 600 restorations remain. Over 173,000 were out in the wake of the storm.

“We’re continuing to close out the larger-number outages, and the arrival of still more crews has enabled us to make significant progress, especially with the weather cooperating,” said John Miksad, Con Edison’s senior vice president of Electric Operations. “We’re sensitive to the hardships our customers faced with this storm, and we have thousands of professionals working together to make sure electricity is safely restored.”

The majority of storm-related outages remain in Westchester, particularly in the areas of Greenburgh, New Rochelle, Scarsdale, White Plains, and Yonkers. Over 2,000 field personnel, including more than 500 two-to six-person restoration crews, have fanned out across the County.

Thousands of other 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.

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

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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