NYSEG Announces Estimated Restoration Times for Eastern Divisions Impacted by Windstorm

Published January 11, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 11, 2024 11 a.m.

Company expects to restore power to majority of customers in Ithaca by 11 tonight

Majority of Customers in Auburn and Geneva divisions expected to be restored by 6 p.m. Friday

Company bringing in additional resources from other states to help in restoration efforts

AUBURN, GENEVA, ITHACA N.Y. — January 11, 2024, 11 a.m.— New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) announced that crews continue to make significant progress following Tuesday’s windstorm that impacted its Eastern divisions. Currently, 3,700 customers are without power in the Auburn division. 2,700 customers are without power in the Geneva division, and 1,100 customers are without power in the Ithaca division. The Company’s Auburn division includes Onondaga and Cayuga counties. The Geneva division includes Ontario, Seneca, Wayne and Yates counties. The Ithaca division includes Cayuga, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Seneca, Tioga and Tompkins counties.

NYSEG expects to have a majority of customers in the Ithaca division restored by 11 p.m. Thursday. The Company expects to have a majority of customers in the Auburn and Geneva divisions restored by 6 p.m. Friday.

There are at least 70 broken poles across the region that crews are working to repair. There are 1,488 line workers and 138 tree crew personnel working to get power back on. Additionally, 129 line workers and tree crew members are on the way to the area to help in restoration efforts. Many of these supporting crews are traveling from Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia and Tennessee.

Dry ice and bottled water is being distributed in Schuyler and Yates counties to customers in need. Below are the locations and times for distribution:

• Tyrone Fire Station, 3600 NY-226 Tyrone, NY – 10:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Burdett Fire Station, 4124 Lake Ave., Burdett, NY – 11:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.

• Penn Yan Little League Park, 360 Elm St., Penn Yan, NY – 2:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Warming shelters remain open in Ontario and Yates Counties for customers who are without power. Locations and times are below:

• Dundee Central School, 55 Water St., Dundee, NY – Opening at 11 a.m.

• Phelps Library, 8 Banta St., Phelps, NY – Open until 8 p.m. Thursday.

NYSEG will provide updates throughout the event to the general public on the company's social media channels (Facebook and X). The company also offers customers the following reminders to stay safe if power outages do occur. After Restoration NYSEG encourages any customer without power after restoration is complete to contact the company at 800.572.1131 to report the issue and allow crews to investigate. Once every customer is restored, the company will continue to fix remaining damage that occurred but did not affect customers or the reliability of service. That will then be followed by a full system sweep of all affected circuits to look for damage or issues that may have been missed but that could cause service disruptions in the future, such as tree limbs on power lines or leaning trees.

NYSEG will continue to provide updates throughout the event to the general public on the company’s social media channels (Facebook and Twitter). The company also offers customers the following reminders to stay safe if power outages do occur.

Outage Information:

• Sign up for Outage Alerts to receive updates automatically by phone, text, or email as the company updates the status of the restoration process in their area. Customers can sign up for outage alerts by visiting here for NYSEG.

• Customer can use the NYSEG mobile app to report and check the status of outages. To download the application, customers should search “AVANGRID” in the Apple or Android app stores and select “NYSEG.” The application is free to download. Stay away from downed wires: • Stay at least 30 feet from a downed power line.

• If a downed wire comes in contact with your vehicle, stay inside and wait for help. If you must get out because of fire or other danger, jump clear of the vehicle to avoid any contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Land with your feet together and hop with feet together or shuffle away; don’t run or stride.

• NYSEG customers should call 1.800.572.1131 to report downed power lines or other hazardous situations.

During a power interruption:

• Contact neighbors to see if their power is off. A loss of power may be the result of a blown fuse or a tripped circuit breaker.

• To report a power interruption, contact NYSEG at 1.800.572.1131.

• Keep refrigerators and freezers closed as much as possible. Most food will last 24 hours if you minimize the opening of refrigerator and freezer doors. Power restoration priorities: The Company’s first priorities are to respond to reports of downed power lines to keep the public safe. NYSEG customers are asked to call 1.800.572.1131 to report downed wires.

Once vital public safety work is complete, the company will:

• Assess the damage to the electricity delivery system.

• Develop a detailed restoration plan.

• Make repairs as quickly as possible.

For additional information, including storm preparation tips, storm safety information, generator safety information, restoration priorities and emergency resources, visit Outage Central at nyseg.com and on the company’s social media pages: • Facebook: @NYSEandG • X: @NYSEandG