Press Release
PSEG Long Island: Storm Update – August 6, 2020 9:45 a.m.
(UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Aug. 6, 2020) – PSEG Long Island worked through the night and has restored approximately 300,000 customers affected by Tropical Storm Isaias, which was one of the strongest to hit the service area in years.
- In total, the storm affected approximately 440,000 customers. Fewer than 140,000 customers remain without power.
- Due to the large number of crews from other utilities brought into our service area before Tropical Storm Isaias, power restoration is progressing faster than can be displayed on the outage map. The map will fluctuate as we refine the data.
- While we have experienced issues with our communications systems, at no time did these challenges impact restoration efforts.
- PSEG Long Island estimates 85% of customers will be restored by end of day Friday, with the remainder restored by end of day Saturday. More than 2,000 lineworkers, tree trimmers and other personnel are working around the clock, in 16-hour shifts until every customer is restored.
- More than 3,000 fallen trees or large limbs have been reported. PSEG Long Island tree crews and contractors have already cleared more than 500 locations. They will continue to work nonstop to continue to clear debris.
- Because of the extent of the outages, PSEG Long Island will open five customer outreach centers today, from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. (or supplies run out), providing people with free water and ice. To ensure we maintain the physical distancing necessary for the safety of our employees and customers, these centers will offer drive-thru service.
- The locations are:
- Hicksville, 175 E. Old Country Road
- Roslyn, 250 Willis Ave. (Roslyn Heights)
- Patchogue, 460 E Main Street
- Brentwood, 1650, Islip Ave.
- Woodmere, Five Towns Shopping Center – 253-01 Rockaway Blvd.
- PSEG Long Island is assisted by workers from New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Florida, Alabama, Kansas and Missouri. Many arrived before the storm began and were immediately available to start restoration work yesterday afternoon.
- Crews will work to restore critical facilities first, followed by outages affecting the largest numbers of customers, and then address outages affecting small numbers or individual customers.
- In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have adapted our storm and safety procedures to follow public health guidelines and industry best practices. We thank our customers for their patience as we operate under these unusual circumstances to safely restore power as quickly as possible.
- Our goal, always, is to restore power safely and as quickly as possible. We ask our customers for a fair amount of patience and to know we will be there just as soon as it is safe.
For More Information
Customer Safety:
- Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Stay at least 30 feet away from downed power lines and immediately call 911 to report downed wires.
- Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from downed power lines and electrical wires. Don't drive over – and don't stand near – downed power lines.
- Downed lines will be hard to see in the rain and can potentially be hidden in standing water. If you encounter large pools of standing water, stop, back up and choose another path.
- The safety of PSEG Long Island’s customers and employees is the company’s top priority. We ask that customers remain in their homes while crews are working nearby. If customers must speak with our crews, we ask that they practice responsible physical distancing and remain at least 6 feet away to ensure the health of everyone involved.
- To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run any gasoline-powered generators in a garage or any other enclosed space.
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PSEG Long Island
PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company.