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Press Release

PSEG Long Island: Storm Update – August 9, 2020 9:45 p.m.

(UNIONDALE, N.Y. – Aug. 9, 2020) – As of 9:00 p.m., PSEG Long Island reports approximately 25,000 of the approximately 420,000 storm-affected customers remain without power.

  • As PSEG Long Island continues to work around the clock to repair the extensive damage from Tropical Storm Isaias, it expects to have most customers restored by end of today, with some jobs moving into Monday.
  • While we have made steady progress overnight, we are finding that each job is requiring more work than anticipated due to the extent of the storm’s damage. The more than 5,000 fallen trees or large limbs reported have contributed to the amount of work required to bring customers back.
  • The backbone of the system — transmission lines and substations — has been restored, and we are hard at work restoring the distribution system that serves our neighborhoods. The damage to many of these circuits is extensive, and as these individual damage spots are assessed, estimated restoration times will be refined.
  • We realize this is frustrating and appreciate our customers’ understanding of the magnitude of the damage the storm created.
  • PSEG Long Island took on an additional 1,000 workers today and we now have more than 5,000 lineworkers, tree trimmers and other personnel are working around the clock, in 16-hour shifts, until every customer is restored. Another 500 are expected to arrive tomorrow.
  • New outages not directly related to the storm continue to be reported and assessed, as on any non-storm day. They will be restored as safely and quickly as possible.
  • 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 continue to fluctuate as we refine the data.
  • Crews must prioritize critical facilities first, followed by outages affecting the largest numbers of customers, and then address outages affecting small numbers or individual customers.
  • Due to the extended power outage, PSEG Long Island will open six customer outreach centers today. These centers will be open from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. (or while supplies last), 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 for Aug. 10 are:
  • Patchogue - 460 E Main St
  • Brentwood - 1650 Islip Ave
  • Greenlawn - 288 Pulaski Rd
  • Roslyn - 250 Willis Ave
  • Woodmere - Five Towns Shopping Center- 253-01 Rockaway Blvd
  • Babylon - Babylon Town Hall - 200 E Sunrise Hwy
  • Far Rockaway - 19-09 Plainview Ave-the lot is on the south side of Plainview Ave. between Beach 19th and Beach 20th St.
  • 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.

 

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.