Central Hudson Storm Restoration Update

Utility stages largest restoration in Company History

Over the course of the day, Central Hudson restored service to nearly 20,000 customers affected by the week’s potent snow storms, and continued to assess damage in newly impacted areas. Since the snow first started falling on Tuesday night, electric service has been restored to a total of nearly 70,000 customers in the aftermath of what has been the most extensive storm event to impact the Mid-Hudson Valley.

Crews are continuing to work around the clock to repair electric facilities, clear fallen trees and provide emergency response throughout the utility’s eight-county service area. Central Hudson’s contingent of 700 field personnel will be assisted by an additional 75 private and utility crews, due to arrive on Saturday. This is largest field force ever assembled, five times Central Hudson’s normal crew complement. In addition, 30 new tree-trimming crews are being added to the nearly 70 crews who have been at work for the past several days.

As of Friday evening, 132,000 outages remain in the impacted counties as follows: Albany: 300; Columbia: 100; Dutchess: 46,600; Greene: 3,600; Orange: 47,000; Putnam 4,200; Sullivan: 1,300; and Ulster: 29,400. As storm conditions are expected to extend into Saturday, additional outages may be reported, even as power is restored to some customers.

Customers should expect that restoration may take several more days, and those without electric service should make alternate arrangements for shelter. Emergency shelters have been established by the Red Cross and other agencies (see a complete list at www.CentralHudson.com).

Central Hudson has scheduled the distribution of free dry ice and bottled water at seven locations beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday:

• Rosendale Recreation  Center, Rt. 32, Rosendale
• Eltings Corners, Rt. 299, New Paltz
• Government Shelter, 2 Elting Court, Ellenville
• Middlehope Firehouse, 9W, Middlehope
• Dan Leghorn Engine Co., Rt .52, Lakeside Road, Newburgh
• East End Fire Dept. Rt. 9D, Swenson Drive, Wappingers Falls
• Fishkill Town Hall, Rt. 52, Fishkill

So far this week, Central Hudson has distributed 35,000 pounds of dry ice and 2,000 bottles of water to customers in need.

Customers are also advised to be prepared with adequate supplies of non-perishable food, water and medications on hand in the event their power is interrupted. If power is lost, those customers with access to a computer or compatible cell phone should report their power condition via the website at the address above where they can also access information regarding the extent of outages; once service restoration estimates become available, they will be found on the website. Please note that due to the extensive and unfolding nature of the damage, projected restoration information may not be available for all locations via that system for several days.

Customers may also contact the utility by calling (845) 452-2700 or 1 (800) 527-2714 to report a power outage, but they are encouraged to use the automated reporting system to do so. In some locations, localized telephone landline trunk limitations have caused some customers to receive automatic busy signals when dialing in, and they are asked to report via a computer if possible or try again via telephone at a later time.

Customers are also reminded to check on frail or elderly neighbors, relatives or friends – including any who may rely on electrically operated life-sustaining equipment – and encourage them to seek alternate shelter, as it may take several days before their power is restored.

All local residents are reminded to stay clear of downed or sagging wires – they could be lethal. As fallen wires may be hidden by trees or debris, extreme caution should be used when moving through an outage zone.  If a power line falls on a vehicle, occupants should stay inside and wait for rescue crews. Customers should not heat their homes with an unvented heater, gas range or any similar appliance, as they can produce deadly carbon monoxide. Generators should be operated only in a vented, dry location; outdoor gas grills should never be used to heat indoors because they pose a fire hazard and can give off deadly carbon monoxide gas.

For updates, safety tips, list of shelter locations and more information on how to prepare for storms, visit www.CentralHudson.com

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