Con Edison: newsroom - news release - Con Edison on High Alert as Hurricane Irene Heads for New York

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Con Edison Media Relations
For Immediate Release: August 27, 2011
9:00 p.m.

Hurricane Irene Update

CON EDISON BRACING FOR THE HIT

NEW YORK – Con Edison expects its overhead system will take the brunt of the hurricane, affecting customers in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Staten Island, Queens and Westchester, but it is also preparing for flooding in low-lying areas that can affect its underground system.

Safety remains the first priority; Con Edison reminds customers not to touch downed wires or go near them. Never assume the wires are dead.

Four hundred crews from around the country, some from as far away as Colorado and Texas, have either arrived or are arriving to assist Con Edison employees who are addressing customer problems and outages.

If significant flooding and storm surges affect lower Manhattan, the company will make a decision about whether to shut down electricity south of the Brooklyn Bridge and east of Broadway. Any shut down will only occur if flooding would cause the potential for extended customer outages and damage to equipment.

More than 5,000 customers in lower Manhattan were notified via telephone of the potential shutdown.

Evaluations to shut down electricity to customers in the low-lying Brighton Beach area of Brooklyn will also be examined.

Con Edison notified 50 steam customers their service would be shut down, and approximately 10 miles of the steam system was shut down in anticipation of the heavy rains.

Customers can use their mobile devices, as well as computers, to report power interruptions or service problems. Customers also can view service restoration information at www.conEd.com. They also may call Con Edison at 1-800-75-CONED
(1-800-752-6633).

The company is working closely with the New York City Office of Emergency Management and The Westchester Office of Emergency Services other emergency officials to monitor and respond to the effects of Hurricane Irene.