Uniondale, NY – March 4, 2015 - PSEG Long Island is preparing for the upcoming storm system, forecasted to bring rain, sleet and snow across the service territory tonight through Thursday evening.
“PSEG Long Island is closely monitoring the forecast of the approaching storm system,” said John O’Connell, vice president of Transmission & Distribution at PSEG Long Island. “While we are not expecting to see this storm cause extensive outages, we take all storms seriously and are preparing to handle any outages that may occur as quickly and as safely as possible.”
To get ready for the upcoming weather, PSEG Long Island is performing system checks on critical transmission & distribution equipment and performing logistics checks to ensure the availability of critical materials, fuel and other supplies.
PSEG Long Island will have personnel on hand to deal with any weather-related outages. Contractors, including tree crews, will be available to assist the utility’s own skilled workforce if necessary.
While snow usually isn’t an issue for utilities, the possibility of sleet and ice can increase the likelihood of downed wires and resulting power outages. Cars striking utility poles can also cause wires to come down.
At PSEG Long Island, employee and customer safety is first and foremost. Remember, safety is always the only choice.
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 here 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.