National Grid responding to damage caused by winter storm

Dry ice, bottled water to be distributed Tuesday in Western New York

√ Public reminded to follow local forecasts and drive safely near crews

National Grid Press Release

National Grid has deployed more than 3,300 line, tree, and public safety specialists to assess damage, clean up debris and restore power to customers caused by the ongoing severe winter storm forecasted to affect upstate New York through Wednesday.

As of 3 p.m. Monday, National Grid has restored service to more than 70,800 of the over 112,300 customers affected by the storm. Many areas of upstate New York have been impacted by wind gusts exceeding 70 mph, resulting in fallen trees, snapped tree limbs, broken utility poles, and downed power lines. Additionally, areas of the Adirondacks, Mohawk Valley and Northern New York have experienced freezing rain accumulation.

Forecasts indicate powerful winds, freezing temperatures and isolated lake-effect snow will continue to impact regions of upstate New York.

National Grid crews from across New York were positioned in advance of the storm and have been supplemented with resources from Connecticut, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario and Quebec to expand the company’s response.

“Our crews are in the field working around the clock to repair damage and bring our systems back online,” said Kyle Bentley, National Grid vice president of New York electric operations. “Our top priority is the safety of our crews and the public we serve. We ask our customers to please drive slowly and cautiously when approaching utility crews at work, and to abide by road closures or restrictions due to the damaged equipment.”

Dry ice and bottled water locations

National Grid will distribute dry ice and bottled water on Tuesday, Dec. 30, from 1-5 p.m. at targeted locations hit hardest by the storm. Customers are asked to bring a cooler or paper grocery bags to transport dry ice to their homes. Company personnel will provide information about its proper handling.

Dry ice and bottled water distribution sites are:

•Erie County: Buffalo Fire Department, Engine 36, 860 Hertel Ave., Buffalo

•Genesee County: Batavia Fire Department, 18 Evans St., Batavia

•Niagara County: Niagara Falls Fire Department, Fire House 8, 320 Hyde Park Blvd.

Additional distribution sites and times may be announced depending on community needs.

All sites are listed on National Grid’s “Outage Map,” on the company’s X and Facebook accounts, and announced to media via press releases.

Restoration process

It's normal for outage numbers and estimated restoration times to fluctuate as we de-

energize lines to make conditions safe for repairs. Additionally, there could be new outages that occur if strong winds continue or other weather hazards emerge.

The company’s first priority is to ensure the safety of our customers and our crews by clearing away dangers such as live, downed power lines. Next comes repairs to main transmission facilities, including towers, poles, and high-tension wires that deliver power to thousands of customers. Recovery work at local substations is also a high priority, followed by repairs to neighborhood circuits, transformers, and service wires.

Electricity & generator safety

•If a power outage occurs, customers can notify National Grid online to expedite restoration.

•Generators used to supply power during an outage must be operated outdoors to prevent the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide. Before operating a generator, be sure to disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker, located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could endanger our crews and your neighbors.

•Customers who depend on electrically powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should register as a life support customer by calling National Grid at 1-800-642-4272. In a medical emergency, always dial 911.

•Stay tuned to local news outlets or the National Weather Service for storm updates and weather alerts.

•Keep working flashlights and an extra supply of batteries in your home and be sure to charge all electronic devices.

•If the power is out, use flashlights or other battery-powered lights. Do not use candles, which can pose a fire hazard.

•Please use caution when driving near emergency responders and crews restoring power.

•Be sure to check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage.

Safety near downed power lines

•Always use extreme caution near downed power lines and wires, and always assume that they are carrying live electricity.

•Never touch a person or an object that is in contact with a downed line, as electricity can pass through to you.

•Take caution when approaching fallen trees, which could have power lines caught in them.

•Remember that water can conduct electricity. If you see a line down in a puddle or flooded area, avoid contact with the water to prevent risk of shock. Learn more about downed power line safety on our website.

Stay informed and connected

•Customers with active electricity accounts who text REG to 64743 can have personalized alerts sent to them via text, email or phone call when we detect an outage on their properties.

•Customers also can text OUT to 64743 to report an outage.

•For real-time power outage information, online outage reporting, and in-depth storm safety information, visit National Grid’s “Outage Central” website. Customers who create an online profile also can sign up for email alerts.

•“Outage Central” reminder: Our “Outage Central” page shows the estimated time of restoration for communities and reflects the estimated time for the last customer in that community to have power restored. The most accurate way for customers to check on the power restoration estimate for their specific address is to log into our “Report or Check Outage” page.

•Customers can read check outage status, report an outage and see the latest storm-related news releases from the company by using the updated National Grid app, free to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play.

•Visit our website (www.nationalgridus.com), follow us on X and “Like” us on Facebook.

•Click here for details on the company’s storm preparation and restoration process.