From Con Edison:
NEW YORK - Con Edison, aided by utility workers from across the United States and Canada, continues to replace utility poles, string wires and install transformers to restore service to those affected by Hurricane Sandy and this week’s Nor’easter.
As of 5:30 p.m., Con Edison reported approximately 28,000 customers out of service. There were about 12,600 customers out of service in Westchester County; 8,700 in Queens; 5,100 in Brooklyn; 1,400 in the Bronx; 400 in Staten Island; and fewer than 100 in Manhattan.
Con Edison has restored service to more than 1 million customers since Hurricane Sandy, which was by far the most destructive storm in company history, struck the New York area. Crews are working around the clock to restore the remaining customer outages this weekend.
Many of the outages still left in the company’s service area involve small groups of customers.
It’s been a massive job. Crews have replaced 60 miles of electrical wiring and gone to tens of thousands of locations to make repairs or tend to emergencies.
The company is also working with the New York City Buildings Department to expedite the restoration of an additional 35,000 customers in Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens whose electrical equipment may have been damaged by flooding and cannot be safely re-energized without repairs by an electrician.
The customers requiring inside-the-premises electrical work are not listed on the Con Edison Outage Map or included in the total number of outages reported by the company. Con Edison and the New York City Buildings Department are collaborating to guide customers through the process of repairing their own equipment. For information, click here: http://www.coned.com/es/Energy-Services-Flyer.pdf.
The safety of customers and workers remained Con Edison’s highest priority, as crews responded to thousands of downed wires and hundreds of 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 urges 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 your power goes out, turn off all lights and appliances to prevent overloaded circuits when power is restored.
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. Con Edison is also getting strong assistance from numerous state and federal agencies.
No one can predict the weather or what might follow but the "mark" of any professional organization is the ability to RESPOND to a CRISIS. I believe that the "foot troops" at Con Ed are trying hard but the upper echelon at Con Ed just wasn't prepared. A lot of personnel, material and equipment simply wasn't in place. I'm hoping that the State of NY will at least make an inquiry regarding Con Ed's dropping the ball here. It's doubtful that'll will happen with all of Con Ed's lobbying powers.....................