January 26, 2015 - Albany, NY - National Grid crews are prepared for winter storm Juno, which is expected to bear down on the region beginning later today and continuing through Wednesday morning. Forecasts are calling for a combination of high winds and snow, with the potential for heavier accumulations across portions of the company’s eastern New York service area.
"National Grid officials began preparing for Juno over the weekend and more than 550 line and tree employees have been mobilized to help restore power as quickly and safely as possible if the storm results in power outages."
“Our first concern is the safety of the public and our employees,” said Ken Daly, president, National Grid New York. “We are prepared for this storm and will assess any damage and restore service as quickly as possible. We also want our customers to be prepared and remain safe during this storm.”
National Grid provides a number of channels for customers to learn about service interruptions during storms. Customers can receive text message alerts and updates by texting the word STORM to NGRID (64743) or follow the storm on their mobile devices by using the National Grid mobile app. The company provides real-time outage information on its Outage Central web site at nationalgridus.com/OutageCentral.
E-mail alerts also are available to customers who create an online profile on the company’s website. All alert services can be started and stopped at the customer’s request. National Grid also provides storm and restoration updates through Facebook and Twitter.
National Grid advises customers to be prepared for the storm by having available a number of working flashlights, at least one battery-operated radio and an extra supply of batteries.
National Grid is keeping safety a priority
The company offers the following tips for customers to minimize inconvenience and maximize safety in the event that storm-related power interruptions occur.
National Grid customers who experience an outage should call National Grid at 1-800-867-5222 to expedite restoration.
- Never touch downed power lines, and always assume that any fallen lines are live electricity wires. If you see one, report it immediately to National Grid or your local emergency response organization.
- Power problems can sometimes interrupt public water supply systems or disable well pumps, so it’s an especially good idea to keep a supply of bottled drinking water handy, as well as some canned food.
- People who depend on electricity-powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should let National Grid know. To register as a life support customer, call the company’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-642-4272.
- Check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage period.
Electricity & generator safety
- If you use a generator to supply power during an outage, be sure to operate it outdoors. Before operating a generator, disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could jeopardize the safety of line crews and the public.
- If you lose power, turn off any appliances that were on when the power went off, but leave one light on so you will know when power is restored.
- Remember, it’s not safe to work in an elevated bucket during periods of increased wind gusts. Our line workers begin restoration work only when conditions are deemed safe.
Gas safety
- The build up of ice and snow around or over gas meters and vents for natural gas appliances could pose a serious safety risk. Ice and snow falling from a roof can damage gas meters or service connections to customers’ homes or businesses, resulting in a gas leak.
- Ice and snow blocking vents could cause carbon monoxide (CO) to back up into a building and result in carbon monoxide poisoning for those inside.
- To avoid these dangers, National Grid advises natural gas customers to closely inspect areas around and over gas meters, service hook-ups and vents for ice and snow that could damage equipment or prevent CO from properly venting.
- National Grid advises that you take immediate action anytime you suspect a natural gas leak:
Get Out - All occupants should leave the house immediately. Open windows to ventilate. Do not use the telephone or light switches for any reason.
Call Us – After leaving the house and reaching a safe environment, call the National Grid 24-hour gas emergency number: 1-800-892-2345 in Upstate New York.
Stay Out - Do not return to your home until National Grid tells you it is safe.
Carbon Monoxide
The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are similar to those of the flu. Depending upon the amount of carbon monoxide in the air and length of exposure, symptoms may include headaches, weakness, confusion, chest tightness, skin redness, dizziness, nausea, sleepiness, fluttering of the heart or loss of muscle control.
If you suspect carbon monoxide is present in your home, go outside immediately and breathe deeply; then call 911. If symptoms are severe, get medical attention.
About National Grid
National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE: NGG) is an electricity and natural gas delivery company that connects nearly 7 million customers to vital energy sources through its networks in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. National Grid also operates the systems that deliver gas and electricity across Great Britain.
Through its U.S. Connect21 strategy, National Grid is transforming its electricity and natural gas networks to support the 21st century digital economy with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions. Connect21 is vital to our communities' long-term economic and environmental health and aligns with regulatory initiatives in New York (REV: Reforming the Energy Vision) and Massachusetts (Grid Modernization).
For more information please visit our website, or our Connecting website, follow us on Twitter, watch us on YouTube, friend us on Facebook, find our photos on Instagram.