(WNY News Now) – NY – National Grid is preparing for another round of winter weather expected to deliver a mix of rain, and heavy, wet snow along with gusty winds beginning Tuesday and continuing through Wednesday. Forecasts indicate the storm may have the most immediate impact along the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario shorelines, and parts of the Adirondacks. The company has activated its comprehensive emergency response plan, including:
• Securing external line crews and mobilizing them across upstate New York to support restoration efforts for any customer interruptions.• Pre-staging crews and materials in areas anticipated to be most severely impacted.• Proactively reaching out to elected, municipal and emergency management officials to keep
them updated on our preparations and provide safety information.• Reaching out directly to customers through traditional and social media, email and texts and
on our website to provide safety information and to urge them to be prepared.
• Conducting outbound calls to life support and critical facility customers to ensure they are
prepared.
National Grid remains committed to public safety and is prepared if the storm impacts the
energy delivery system. The company also encourages customers to keep safety a priority with the
following reminders:
Electricity & Generator Safety
• If a power outage occurs, customers can notify National Grid online to expedite restoration.
• Generators used to supply power during an outage must be operated outdoors to
prevent the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide. Before operating a generator, be sure
to disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker, located in the
electric service panel. Failure to do this could endanger our crews and your neighbors.
• Customers who depend on electrically powered life support equipment, such as a
respirator, should register as a life support customer by calling National Grid at 1-800-642-
4272. In a medical emergency, always dial 911.
• Keep working flashlights and an extra supply of batteries in your home and be sure to
charge all electronic devices before the storm.
• Stay tuned to local news outlets or the National Weather Service for storm updates, weather
alerts
• If the power is out, use flashlights or other battery-powered lights. Do not use candles,
which can pose a fire hazard.
• Please use caution when driving near emergency responders and crews restoring power.
• Be sure to check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need
assistance during an outage.
Safety Near Downed Power Lines
• Always use extreme caution near downed power lines and wires, and always assume that
they are carrying live electricity.
• Never touch a person or an object that is in contact with a downed line, as electricity can
pass through to you.
• Take caution when approaching fallen trees, which could have power lines caught in them.
• Remember that water can conduct electricity. If you see a line down in a puddle or flooded
area, avoid contact with the water to prevent risk of shock.
Learn more about downed power line safety at our website.
Stay Informed and Connected
• Customers with active electricity accounts who text ‘REG’ to 64743 can have
personalized alerts sent to them via text, email or phone call when we detect an outage on
their properties.
• Customers also can text ‘OUT’ to 64743 to report an outage.
• For real-time power outage information, online outage reporting, and in-depth storm
safety information, visit National Grid’s Outage Central website. Customers are
encouraged to make sure that National Grid has their correct addresses and phone
numbers on file. Customers who create online profiles also can register for email alerts.
Visit our website: http://www.nationalgridus.com, follow us on Twitter and friend us on Facebook.
• Click here for details on the company’s storm preparation and restoration process.
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