WPCNR THE POWER NEWS. From Consolidated Edison. November 1, 2012:
Con Edison crews – working around the clock – have restored electricity to more than 225,000 customers since Hurricane Sandy’s departure.
The hurricane is the worst natural disaster to strike Con Edison’s customers.
Safety for customers, Con Edison employees, and contractors is the No. 1 priority. Crews still face hundreds of wires down in New York City and Westchester County, where more than 600 roads are closed. Trees also block access to wires and equipment throughout the system and hundreds of vaults are flooded.
The company expects to make significant progress restoring electricity over the next two days due to Wednesday’s damage assessment and field work planning. Additional crews from around the country continue arriving from as far away as California to assist New Yorkers. Cargo planes are unloading their equipment and will be assigned throughout the area.
Con Edison restored power on Wednesday to customers served by two underground electrical networks that were taken out of service Monday night as the floodwaters from Hurricane Sandy were surging.
One network is in lower Manhattan and serves 2,000 customers. The customers are in an area bordered by Vesey Street on the north; West Street; Broadway and State Street on the east; and the Battery’s southern tip.
The second area is Con Edison’s Brighton Beach network, serving about 28,200 customers and includes Coney Island, Seagate, Brighton Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Sheepshead Bay.
The utility noted that although it has restored power to the networks, some buildings may still be without electricity due to basement flooding or damage to local equipment.
As of 4:30 a.m. today, Con Edison reported approximately 676,000 customers out of service. That included 227,000 in Manhattan, 103,000 in Queens, 59,000 in Brooklyn, 83,000 in Staten Island and 36,000 in the Bronx. In Westchester County, the company reported 166,000 customers out of service.
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. Con Edison will continue to provide updates through the media as the storm moves closer. Important information will be posted on the company’s website, www.conEd.com.
For instructions on how to report an outage, click here: http://bcove.me/6sx1yox5
Con Edison offers the following safety tips:
- 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.
- 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 you still 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 and news on power outages can be heard on most local radio and television stations.
- Avoid opening your freezer to see if food is still frozen. Every time you open the door, room-temperature air enters and speeds the thawing process. Most fully loaded freezers will keep food frozen for approximately 36 to 48 hours; half-full freezers will keep food frozen for approximately 24 hours.
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.