Con Ed: Restoration Underway; Dry Ice Distribution

The estimated 171,958 Westchester County Con Edison customers still without power on Wednesday at 3:30 p.m. may be in the dark for several more days, officials said this afternoon.

On a press conference call, John Miksad, senior vice president of electric operations for Con Edison, said the company is distributing its resources "to get the most bang for the buck."

In the county, "I would think it would be the last customers in a week or better kind of range," he stated in response to a reporter's inquiry about restoration times.

But he added later that a 10-day wait time could be "in the ball park" for area residents.

"We are talking about another storm of the century a year after the last storm of the century," Miksad reiterated.

To help expedite service restoration, Con Edison teams are being assisted by 1,400 external contractors and mutual aid workers from across the country—even as far west as California.

Con Edison will be distributing dry ice in the areas it serves, beginning at 4 p.m. today.

In Westchester County, distribution will take place at Yonkers Raceway (810 Yonkers Ave.). There will also be company personnel on-site to answer residents' questions.

"Instructions for safe handling and disposal of dry ice are printed on the bag for residents who pick up dry ice," Con Edison said in a statement. "Dry ice is frozen carbon dioxide and should be used only in well-ventilated areas. Keep children and pets safely away."