PSEG LI ready for snowstorm

PSEG Long Island, the area’s new power utility, is prepared for the second snowstorm of the year.

According to PSEG LI, the steady accumulation of snow poses the most serious threat of creating power outages. Heavy snow on wires and tree limbs, icing and strong winds all increase the possibility of downed wires, as do cars skidding on snow or ice and striking utility poles.

The utility prepared for the storm over the past few days, performing system checks on critical equipment, arranging for contractors to assist its own workforce, ensuring the availability of critical repair materials and fuel, and coordinating with county and municipal emergency personnel.

In cases of lost power, PSEG LI asks residents to first check to see if their house is the only one in the neighborhood that is affected. If it is, check the fuse box for tripped circuit breakers or blown fuses. If the fuse box looks normal, check the wire between the house and the closest utility pole. Any downed wires should be reported as soon as possible.

Residents are advised to keep an emergency kit on hand, including a battery-powered radio, a corded telephone, flashlights and extra batteries, a first aid kit, bottled water, nonperishable food, a manual can opener, matches, candles, blankets and sleeping bags.

Residents are also advised to stay away from all downed power lines, whether on foot or in a car, and keep children away from areas with downed poles or wires. If a wire falls on a car, passengers should stay put until help arrives.

Any residents who rely on life-sustaining equipment are advised to pre-register for priority attention by calling 1-800-490-0025 as soon as possible. They should also inform their rescue squads and fire departments of their needs, in case of emergency. Even though customers with life-sustaining equipment who have registered will receive priority attention during outages, they should also have emergency back-up equipment on hand, since immediate restoration cannot be guaranteed.

PSEG LI will regularly providing updates on outages and related concerns throughout the storm on its website and Twitter page. Those who want to reach the utility to report outages or downed wires should call customer service at 1-800-490-0075, or log into a customer account.