O&R Declares Storm Watch, Preps For Heavy Weather

PEARL RIVER, NY — Orange & Rockland has declared a Storm Watch as a nor’easter is predicted to bring gusty winds and heavy rains to the region beginning late Thursday through Saturday morning. The storm has a potential to cause tree, utility pole and power line damage, and, as a result, widespread electric service interruptions.

The company reminds customers to stay away from downed power lines and report any power outages to receive restoration times and updates.

O&R is ready to repair immediate storm damage and restore service as needed. O&R’s emergency storm response team, including company and contractor overhead line and tree removal crews, customer service operations and the wide array of O&R departments that support those functions, is ramping up to prepare to repair damage and restore power as necessary.

Sustained winds Friday are expected to range from 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 40 mph. Heavy downpours are expected through the day with rain totals ranging from 1.50 inches to 3 inches. As a result, O&R urges the public to put safety first if confronted by any weather-related electric system damage.

There are several ways customers can report outages and check service restoration status:

• Go to the O&R website from any computer or web-enabled mobile device;
• Use the O&R mobile app from your iPhone, iPad or Android device;
• Text “OUT” to 69678 (myORU); or
• Call Customer Assistance at 1-877-434-4100

The following video describes the typical storm repair and power restoration process: https://youtu.be/JeGU8ID4_m0

To help its customers prepare to weather a storm, O&R offers these tips:

• For safety’s sake, do not touch or approach any downed wire. Assume it is energized and dangerous. Call O&R immediately toll-free 1-877-434-4100. Depending on the situation, you may also want to call your local police to divert traffic until an O&R crew arrives.
• Maintain a distance of at least 50 feet from downed wires and anything they are in contact with including puddles of water and fences. Supervise your children so that they are not in the vicinity and keep pets on a leash or otherwise secure.
• If a fallen wire is draped over a car, do not approach the car and make rescue attempts. Remain a safe distance away, and try to keep the occupant of the vehicle calm. If possible, emergency personnel should handle the situation.
• Have emergency equipment within reach — portable radio, flashlights, spare batteries, first aid kit, cellphone and important medications. Keep O&R’s toll-free number 1-877-434-4100 near the phone to report power outages.
• If you experience a power outage, do not assume that O&R automatically knows about it or that someone else will report it. To ensure your outage is reported, go to ORU.com or Text “OUT” to 69678 (MyORU).

For more information, visit O&R’s Storm Center.

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