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Con Edison Crews Continue Restorations as More Storms Approach

  • Con Edison Media Relations

  • New York – July 23, 2020 -- 03:00 PM

Company Emphasizes Safety and Conservation

Con Edison crews continue to work around the clock to resolve service problems with more storms forecasted for this afternoon and evening.

Today, crews are working to restore power to 1,200 customers across the service area due to heat and storms.

Thunderstorms with strong winds can knock trees and branches into wires, poles and transformers, causing power outages.

The company has taken special steps to keep service reliable by deploying generators to certain neighborhoods. To help prevent outages and reduce their duration and scope, the company is also managing voltage levels and cooling transformers.

To make it easier to report outages, Con Edison sent 1.7 million customers a text message on Saturday alerting them to the heat wave and asking them to report any outages by replying OUT.

Con Edison warns that members of the public should stay away from downed wires because they may be live. Do not touch them with your hands or any object. Call Con Edison or your police department if you see downed wires.

Con Edison also offers the following storm related safety tips:

  • Be mindful that downed wires can be hidden from view by tree limbs, leaves or water. If a line falls on your car while you’re in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel;
  • If your power goes out, disconnect or turn off appliances that would otherwise turn on automatically when service is restored. If several appliances start up at once, the electric circuits may temporarily overload;
  • Check to make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios are in working order. Make sure you have a supply of extra batteries;
  • Weather updates and news on restorations of electrical service can be heard on most local radio and television stations.

Depending on the severity of storm damage, crews will give priority to restoring service lines that will provide power to the most customers as quickly as possible, then move on to restore smaller groups and individual customers.

To help customers conserve energy, lower bills and reduce stress on the system, Con Edison offers customers the following tips:

  • Make sure air conditioner filters are clean so the units will run at peak efficiency;
  • Set thermostats to the highest comfortable temperature. Each degree lower increases cooling costs;
  • If you have a room air-conditioning unit, close off the rooms not being used;
  • If you have central air, block the vents in unused or vacant rooms;
  • To reduce heat and moisture in your home, run appliances such as ovens, washing machines, dryers and dishwashers in the early morning or late at night when it’s generally cooler outside. Use a microwave to cook, if possible;
  • Keep shades, blinds and curtains closed. About 40 percent of unwanted heat comes through windows. Simply drawing blinds and curtains, which act as a layer of insulation, can reduce heat in your apartment or home;
  • Turn off air conditioners, lights and other appliances when not at home.

Customers can report outages and check service restoration status at http://coned.com/out or text REG to OUTAGE (688243) and follow the prompts to sign up for notifications. Customers can also call 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633).

Customers who report outages will receive updates from Con Edison with their estimated restoration times as they become available. Information on outages and restoration times is also available at the Con Edison outage map.

The company reminds New Yorkers to use New York City’s Cooling Center Finder to locate the nearest cooling center and find relief from the heat.

Con Edison’s mobile apps for iOS or Android allow customers to manage accounts, report and check the status of an outage, access energy-saving tips, and more.

Con Edison personnel practice social distancing to keep everyone safe from the coronavirus. Con Edison is following the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines during the health emergency.

Customers can follow Con Edison on Twitter or on Facebook for general outage updates, safety tips and storm preparation information.

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