Uniondale, NY - February 14th, 2015 - PSEG Long Island is taking all of the needed steps today to be prepared for the approaching winter storm, forecasted to bring strong winds with hazard-level gusts, snow and extreme cold Saturday through Sunday evening.
“At PSEG Long Island, our first priority is always the safety of our customers and our employees,” said John O’Connell, vice president of Transmission & Distribution at PSEG Long Island. “We are monitoring the forecasts and our emergency preparedness plans are activated. In the event of outages, our crews are ready to begin restoring service as safely and quickly as conditions allow.”
Strong, potentially damaging winds have been forecasted for PSEG Long Island’s entire service territory. As a result, the company has placed its personnel on alert and all are prepared to respond in the event of service interruptions. Contractors, including tree crews, will be available to assist the utility’s own skilled workforce if necessary.
O’Connell added, “The severity of the winds forecast for our region bring the threat of potential power outages that may result from downed trees and limbs damaging power lines and other electric distribution equipment. For safety reasons, work involving bucket trucks could be delayed until wind conditions are safe. We ask for our customers continued patience if there is a loss of power during hazard and unsafe conditions. Just as soon as it is safe, our crews will respond to outages.”
Stay in Touch
PSEG Long Island offers several ways for customers to stay in touch during an emergency:
- To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call PSEG Long Island’s Customer Service line at 1-800-490-0075 or report online here.
- Once registered, report power outages by texting “OUT” to PSEGLI (773454).
- Check for updates using our outage map here.
- Follow our Facebook and Twitter pages for restoration progress. Do not report outages through our social media pages.
- Make sure everyone in the family is prepared and knows what to do if there is an emergency. Please click here to learn about the PSEG and Sesame Street App “Let’s Get Ready: Planning Together for Emergencies”.
- Watch our YouTube videos for tips on how to prepare your family and how power is restored after a storm.
Downed Power Lines
Downed wires may appear dead but should always be considered “live.” STAY AWAY FROM ALL DOWNED LINES. Do not approach or drive over a downed line. If a wire falls on a vehicle, passengers should stay in the vehicle until help arrives. Additionally, parents are urged to check for downed wires in areas where their children might play. To report a downed wire, call 1-800-490-0075 and tell PSEG Long Island the nearest cross street.
When You Drive Past Our Worksites or Vehicles
Please slow down and be alert when driving past a PSEG Long Island roadwork jobsite. Driving too fast can endanger employees and hamper their ability to perform important work. PSEG Long Island crews use work area protection – traffic cones, utility work signs and flaggers – to allow them to do their jobs safely. Follow safe driving techniques to prevent fender-benders or more serious collisions that could delay our service technicians as they respond to customer calls or emergencies.
Customers with Life-Sustaining Equipment
Individuals who rely on electricity to operate life-sustaining electronic equipment, such as a respirator or dialysis machine, should pre-register with PSEG Long Island. They should also inform their rescue squads and fire departments of their needs, in case of emergency. Customers with life-sustaining equipment should also have emergency back-up equipment on hand, since immediate restoration cannot be guaranteed.
If You Lose Power
First check your neighborhood. If you are the only one without power, check your fuse box for tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses. If that’s not the problem, look outside at the wire between your house and the utility pole. If it is down, report it immediately to PSEG Long Island.
General Tips
Mother Nature can be unpredictable. It’s wise to have an emergency kit on hand year round. Things to include:
- A battery powered radio
- A corded telephone (Cordless phones will not work if the power is out)
- Flashlights and extra fresh batteries
- A first-aid kit
- Bottled water and an adequate supply of non-perishable food
- A non-electric can opener
- Matches and candles with holders
- Extra blankets and sleeping bags
- A list of emergency phone numbers, including PSEG Long Island’s Customer Service line: 1-800-490-0075. Call this number to report power outages or downed wires.
About PSEG Long Island
PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a 12-year contract. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company with annual revenues of $10 billion.