Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Storm Update: Con Edison Crews Responding to Outages From High Winds and Rain
NEW YORK, NY, Jun 11, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) ----Con Edison crews continue to respond to scattered outages throughout Westchester County and the Bronx after Tuesday evening's storm toppled trees and power lines throughout the company's service area.
Additional crews from Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and Staten Island drove to the Bronx and Westchester County to assist in the restoration of power.
Con Edison said today that approximately 3,000 customers in Westchester County and 150 in the Bronx are without electrical service because of severe rain and wind from last night's thunderstorm. The majority of customers that are currently out of service are expected to be restored by midnight tonight. At the height of the storm, more than 18,500 customers had lost electricity.
Customers can go online to check their own restoration time for their home or business at www.ConEd.com.
Among the hardest hit Westchester communities were Mount Vernon, Rye, New Rochelle, and Pelham. Also affected were the Country Club and Laconia neighborhoods in the Bronx.
The company asks customers to report power interruptions or service problems online at www.conEd.com, or by calling Con Edison's toll-free customer service number 1-800-75-CON ED (1-800-752-6633). When reporting an outage, customers should have their Con Edison account number available, if possible, and report whether their neighbors also have lost power.
Con Edison offers the following safety tips:
-- If you see downed electrical wires,
do not go near them. Treat all downed wires as if they are live. Never attempt to move or touch them with any object. Be mindful
that downed wires can be hidden from view by tree limbs, leaves or water. -- Report all downed wires to Con Edison and your
local police department immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you're in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait
for emergency personnel. -- When reporting an outage, report whether your neighbors have also lost power. Leave at least one
light switch in the on position to alert you when power has been restored. -- Avoid opening your freezer to see if food is
still frozen. Every time you open the door, room-temperature air enters and speeds the thawing process. Most fully loaded
freezers will keep food frozen for approximately 36 to 48 hours; half-full freezers will keep food frozen for approximately
24 hours.
Con Edison will provide updates to affected customers both directly and through the media as the situation warrants. In addition, important information will also be posted on the company's Web site, www.conEd.com. The company is in constant communication with the New York City Office of Emergency Management and or the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services.
Contact: Media Relations 212-460-4111
SOURCE: Con Edison Co. of NY, Inc.