Con Ed Working '24/7 Until Last Customer is Restored'

Con Edison is asking its remaining customers who are without power "to be patient" as restoration efforts continue five days following Hurricane Sandy.

"They can be assured that we will work 24/7 until the last customer is restored," said Senior Vice President of Electric Operations John Miksad on a call with the media this evening.

The estimated 270,000 New York City and Westchester County customers Miksad are still in the dark as of this evening "is a huge number," he stated.

This figure alone is larger than the number of residents affected by Hurricane Irene, Miksad added.

"We've got the overhead damage as a result of those winds in the outer boroughs and Westchester County," he said. "That's a huge focus for us now."

Miksad said Con Edison's priorities remain the areas where the company can get "the most bang for our buck."

"We are also factoring in schools that are out of service," he added, pointing to the need for polling places to be open in time for election day.

In addition, "For the first time, we have established base camps for our crews from around the country who are assisting us," he said, which include one at Rye Playland. The comany will also be setting up a "staging area" to dispatch crews and vehicles from in Franklin D. Roosevelt State Park in Yorktown Heights.

He said the diseal shortage around the tri-state area has also impacted Con Edison vehicles.

"That's been a challenge for all New Yorkers and has been a challenge for us, too," he said.

While the company is still aiming to have all polling locations up and running by Tuesday, he said Westchester County is prepping for possible alternatives that include "tents outside." In total about 70 polling places are still without power, Miksad said.