From Con Edison:
NEW YORK – Con Edison crews and thousands of outside utility workers continue to work around the clock in an autumn chill to restore customers knocked out of service by Hurricane Sandy, while the company also monitors the Nor’easter expected to hit the New York area Wednesday.
The coming storm is expected to pack rain and heavy winds. Those winds could topple trees into overhead power lines, causing customers to lose electricity. The conditions could also cause a delay in the utility’s restoration of customers out of service due to Hurricane Sandy.
As of 11 a.m. today, Con Edison said approximately 118,000 customers were without electricity, out of about 980,000 affected by the hurricane. Con Edison has restored power to about 88 percent of the customers affected by the hurricane. The customers out of power include approximately 1,400 in Manhattan, 26,000 in Queens, 22,000 in Brooklyn, 12,000 in Staten Island, and 5,500 in the Bronx.
In Westchester County, the company reported approximately 51,000 customers out of service.
Con Edison continues to urge customers in Mid- and Lower Manhattan who were affected by Hurricane Sandy outages to conserve energy as much as possible while crews work to reinforce the underground electric system.
The company says customers can help by refraining from using non-essential appliances, such as washers and dryers. The company also is in contact with building owners to encourage limiting use of certain elevator banks or other equipment.
More than 2,500 utility workers from as far as California are assisting the in restoration. More than 500 additional utility workers are scheduled to arrive in New York on Tuesday. Since Friday, Con Edison has built base camps in FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights and at the Queens Hall of Science to host the out-of-town crews. Con Edison also has camps and staging areas at Rye Playland, Westchester County, Citifield in Queens, and at Miller Field in Staten Island’s Great Kills Park.
The safety of customers and workers is Con Edison's priority. Crews have been responding to more than 100,000 downed wires and is working with emergency services personnel to open blocked roads.
Customers can report downed power lines, outages, and check service restoration status by computer or mobile device at www.conEd.com. They also can call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). When reporting an outage, it is helpful if customers have their Con Edison account number available, if possible, and report whether their neighbors also have lost power. Customers who report outages will be called by Con Edison with their estimated restoration times as they become available.
The company is advising its customers to pay close attention to reports from city and municipal officials. Important information will be posted on www.conEd.com.. For instructions on how to report an outage, click here: http://bcove.me/6sx1yox5
Con Edison offers the following safety tips:
· Never operate a portable electric generator indoors or in an attached garage. Be sure to place the generator outside where exhaust fumes will not enter into enclosed spaces. Only operate a generator outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home. The generator should be protected from direct exposure to rain and snow.
· Use extreme caution before going into a flooded basement. Know whether there are electrified services or unsanitary conditions and wear high rubber boots. Also, know how deep the water is and probe it with a wooden stick, if necessary, to gauge the depth. Keep children out of basements where there is water.
· Do not go near downed wires. Treat 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 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 you have power, charge your cell phones, lap tops and other mobile devices, so that they’ll work if you do lose power.
· If your power goes out, turn off all lights and appliances to prevent overloaded circuits when power is restored.
· Check to make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios are working. Also, make sure you have a supply of extra batteries. Weather updates andnews on power outages can be heard on most local radio and television stations.
The company is in constant communication with the New York City Office of Emergency Management and the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services and company personnel are working closely with city and municipal emergency officials.
