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Long Islanders digging out from the latest winter storm are also bracing for the possibility of extended power outages, as strong winds continue to snap branches and topple trees across the region.
As of 10 a.m., 15,118 of PSEG Long Island’s 1.2 million electric customers across Long Island and the Rockaways were without power, according to the utility.
Since 3 p.m. Sunday, more than 15,000 customers have already had service restored.
The heavy snowfall overnight was only part of the problem.
PSEG officials said sustained high winds — some reaching hazardous levels — have slowed restoration efforts at times.
“For safety reasons, field crews at times may be unable to make repairs during periods of high winds,” the utility said in a statement.
Because of those prolonged winds, as well as snow-covered roads and rear-property access challenges, “many outages may extend beyond 24 hours,” PSEG warned.
The company acknowledged that “being without power for any length of time is a hardship” and thanked customers for their patience.
More than 600 line workers, tree trimmers, surveyors and other field personnel are responding, supported by all other PSEG Long Island employees handling dispatch, call centers, IT systems and logistics.
An additional 290 mutual aid workers arrived Sunday and are assisting with restoration efforts. Crews are working around the clock in rotating 16-hour shifts until all outages are addressed.
Click here for PSEG’s real-time power outage map.
Customers who report an outage will initially receive a Damage Assessment Message ETR, which may read “Assessing Conditions” while crews evaluate the scope of damage. An estimated time of restoration will be provided once the bulk of the storm has passed and the full extent of outages is known.
PSEG is also urging residents to prioritize safety.
Downed wires should always be treated as live and avoided. Residents should never drive over or stand near fallen lines and should report them immediately to 800-490-0075 or 911. Officials also cautioned against using generators indoors or within 20 feet of doors, windows or vents, and warned that electric current can pass easily through standing water or wet snow.
Customers can report outages and check restoration updates through the PSEG Long Island mobile app, by texting OUT to 773454, by calling the 24-hour electric service number, or by visiting the company’s MyPower outage map online.
Top: A residential street in Yaphank, N.Y., as it appeared around 8 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23. (Credit: Nick Esposito)
