CON ED Update
November 4, 2012
10:00 p.m.
HURRICANE SANDY UPDATE
CON EDISON RESTORES 80% OF CUSTOMERS HIT BY HURRICANE SANDY
NEW YORK – Con Edison has restored service to more than 770,000 customers, or approximately 80 percent of all those who lost electricity from the ravages of Hurricane Sandy.
As of 10 p.m., Con Edison said approximately 180,000 customers were without electricity, out of an estimated 950,000 affected. That includes 5,000 out in Manhattan, 45,000 in Queens, 22,000 in Brooklyn, 16,000 in Staten Island and 10,000 in the Bronx.
In Westchester County, the company reported 79,000 customers out of service. County wide, approximately 140,000 customers had their service restored.
Con Edison expects to have the vast majority of those impacted by the storm restored by next weekend.
More than 2,000 utility workers from as far away as California are working in New York City and Westchester County to assist in restoration efforts. More than 300 additional outside utility workers arrived in New York today. Since Friday, Con Edison has been building two new base camps in FDR State Park in Yorktown Heights and at the Queens Hall of Science to host the out-of-town crews.
Con Edison already had camps and staging areas at Rye Playland in Rye, Citifield in Queens, and Miller Field in Staten Island.
The safety of customers and workers remains Con Edison's No. 1 priority. Crews have been responding to more than 100,000 downed wires in New York City and Westchester County. The company is working closely with emergency services personnel to open blocked roads and streets.
Customers can report downed power lines, outages, and check service restoration status by computer or mobile device at www.conEd.com. They also can call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633). When reporting an outage, it is helpful if customers have their Con Edison account number available, if possible, and report whether their neighbors also have lost power. Customers who report outages will be called by Con Edison with their estimated restoration times as they become available.
The company is advising its customers to pay close attention to reports from city and municipal officials. Important information will be posted on the company's website, www.conEd.com.
For instructions on how to report an outage, click here: http://bcove.me/6sx1yox5
Con Edison offers the following safety tips:
Never operate a portable electric generator indoors or in an attached garage. Be sure to place the generator outside where exhaust fumes will not enter into enclosed spaces. Only operate a generator outdoors in a well-ventilated, dry area, away from air intakes to the home. The generator should be protected from direct exposure to rain and snow.
Use extreme caution before going into a flooded basement. Know whether there are electrified services or unsanitary conditions and wear high rubber boots. Also, know how deep the water is and probe it with a wooden stick, if necessary, to gauge the depth. Keep children out of basements where there is water.
If you see downed electrical wires, do not go near them. Treat all downed wires as if they are live. Never attempt to move or touch them with any object. Be mindful that downed wires can be hidden from view by tree limbs, leaves or water.
Report all downed wires to Con Edison and your local police department immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you're in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel.
The company is in constant communication with the New York City Office of Emergency Management and the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services and company personnel are working closely with city and municipal emergency officials.
