BUFFALO, N.Y. — Heading into this week WNY is expecting to get a heavy mix of rain, and wet snow along with high winds starting on Tuesday. Those areas expected to experience the winter weather are those along the Lake Erie and Lake Ontario shorelines.
In preparation for this National Grid has activated its comprehensive emergency response plan which includes
- 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
Electricity & Generator safety tips include
- 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 News Release National Grid Preparing for Winter Storm to Impact Regions Across Upstate New York Company Reminds Customers to Make Safety Their First Priority
- 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.
National Grid also wants to remind customers that to get into contact with them people can
- 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: www.nationalgridus.com.
- Click here for details on the company’s storm preparation and restoration process.