NYSEG says they’re making significant strides in restoring power following a severe windstorm that affected the Finger Lakes region. As of 3 p.m. on Thursday approximately 3,700 customers in the Auburn division, 2,700 in the Geneva division, and 1,100 in the Ithaca division are without electricity. These divisions span across several counties, including Onondaga, Cayuga, Ontario, Seneca, Wayne, Yates, Chemung, Cortland, Schuyler, Tioga, and Tompkins.
NYSEG has announced an ambitious target to restore the majority of power in the Ithaca division by 11 p.m. on Thursday, with the Auburn and Geneva divisions expected to follow by 6 p.m. on Friday. To achieve this, the company has mobilized a massive workforce. On Thursday, 1,488 lineworkers and 138 tree crew personnel are tirelessly working on the ground. In addition, 129 more workers from various states like Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, and Tennessee are en route to assist.
By Friday morning, most had power restored. Only a couple hundred were without power throughout all of the impacted counties.
In response to the crisis, NYSEG is also providing essential supplies to affected residents. Dry ice and bottled water are being distributed at designated locations in Schuyler and Yates counties, including the Tyrone Fire Station, Burdett Fire Station, and Penn Yan Little League Park. For those in need of shelter, warming centers are open in Ontario and Yates Counties at Dundee Central School and Phelps Library.
Safety remains a top priority for NYSEG. They advise customers to stay vigilant, especially around downed power lines, and to report any hazardous situations immediately. Customers can stay updated on the restoration process and safety tips through NYSEG’s social media channels and are encouraged to use the NYSEG mobile app for reporting and checking the status of outages.
In conclusion, NYSEG is committed to a swift and safe restoration of power and continues to work diligently to minimize the impact of the windstorm on its customers. They also remind the public to contact them directly in case of any power issues after the restoration process is complete, as they will continue addressing any remaining damage and conducting a thorough inspection of the affected circuits.
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