UNIONDALE, N.Y., Jan. 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- PSEG Long
Island is prepared for the approaching winter storm forecasted to
bring more than a foot of snow, high winds and blizzard conditions
across the entire service territory from Monday through Tuesday
night.
In anticipation of the storm, PSEG Long Island is taking the
following steps to ensure it is ready to respond to any resulting
power outages:
- Scheduling all available personnel so they are ready to respond
on Monday
- Arranging for contractors, including tree crews, to assist the
utility's own skilled workforce
- Reaching out for 400 additional mutual assistance linemen; 170
are leaving the Midwest tonight, with the remainder expected to
leave tomorrow morning
- Performing system checks on critical transmission &
distribution equipment
- Ensuring the availability of critical materials, fuel and other
supplies
- Coordinating with county and municipal emergency management
personnel to inform them of outages and expedite restoration
efforts.
"At PSEG Long Island, safety is always our top priority and we
urge our customers to be prepared and to stay safe during this
major winter weather event," said John
O'Connell, vice president of Transmission & Distribution
at PSEG Long Island. "The blizzard conditions will make working and
traveling difficult for our crews to get around and safely respond
to any outages. We will respond as quickly and safely as possible
but ask our customers for their patience and understanding."
STAY IN TOUCH
All of PSEG Long Island's customer
offices will be open for regular business on Monday from 8:30 –
11:00 a.m. ET. Payments will not be
accepted on Monday after 11:00 a.m.
ET, as PSEG Long Island will reassign certain customer
office personnel to their storm assignments.
The following customer offices will remain open as Customer
Outreach Centers and will be staffed and stocked with bottled water
and charging stations for customers to charge their personal
communications devices:
- Riverhead – 117 Doctor's Path,
Riverhead, NY 11901
- Brentwood – 1650 Islip Avenue,
Brentwood, NY 11717
- Roslyn Heights – 250 Willis
Avenue, Roslyn Heights, NY
11577.
PSEG Long Island offers several additional ways for customers to
be prepared and 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.
- Once registered, report power outages by texting "OUT" to
PSEGLI (773454).
- Check for updates using our outage map at
https://www.psegliny.com/c.cfm/Outage.
- 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 visit
https://www.psegliny.com/page.cfm/Sesame to learn about the PSEG
and Sesame Street App "Let's Get Ready: Planning Together for
Emergencies".
- Watch our YouTube videos at
https://www.psegliny.com/page.cfm/CustomerService/StormCenter for
tips on how to prepare your family and how power is restored after
a storm.
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.
To report downed wires or power outages, customers should call
PSEG Long Island's Customer Service line at 1-800-490-0075. PSEG
Long Island uses an automated system to handle customer calls as
efficiently as possible. Customers who get an automated response
when calling PSEG Long Island are encouraged to use it, as it is
designed to route their calls to the right destination. If you have
specific information regarding damage to wires, transformers or
poles, PSEG Long Island asks that you stay on the line to speak
with a representative to provide that information.
Customers with a handheld device can also report power outages
by texting "OUT" to PSEGLI (773454). You will receive
confirmation that your outage has been submitted and will begin
receiving updates on the status of your outage. This requires a
one-time registration. To register, text REG to PSEGLI (773454) or
visit the My Account section of the PSEG Long Island website.
General outage activity throughout our service territory is also
available online and on our mobile website at
www.psegliny.com. Updates are posted on
www.psegliny.com/stormcenter during severe weather.
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.
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.
PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority's
transmission and distribution system under a 12-year
contract. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service
Enterprise Group Incorporated (NYSE: PEG), a publicly traded
diversified energy company with annual revenues of $10 billion.
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Contact:
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Media Relations
Hotline
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516.229.7248
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SOURCE PSEG Long Island