HUDSON VALLEY – Orange and Rockland Utilities and Central Hudson Gas and Electric are preparing its workforce to make repairs and restore service as needed Monday when a severe storm packing winds gusting possibly as high as 50 mph, accompanied by heavy rains and thunderstorms, is expected to roar through the region.
High winds and thunderstorms can cause power line damage and electric service interruptions.
O&R personnel have been instructed to practice social distancing with each other and members of the public when responding to emergency calls in an attempt to keep everyone safe from the coronavirus. O&R is following the Centers for Disease Control guidelines during the health emergency.
“Our customers are also advised to prepare and take precautions,” Central Hudson Assistant Vice President Ryan Hawthorne said. He stressed that residents should stay at least 30 feet away from downed power lines, and to remember that lines may be entangled and hidden in fallen trees and limbs. “Assume all downed lines are live, and keep a wide distance from fallen trees and limbs,” he said. As many families and children are home, Hawthorne urged residents to watch for and keep themselves, families and neighbors away from these hazards. Motorists should also be aware of the potential for downed limbs and power lines that may block roadways, and should never attempt to drive over or around downed power lines.
For safety’s sake, don’t touch or approach any downed wire. Assume the downed wire is energized and dangerous. Do not try to move them or touch them with any object. Be mindful that downed wires can be hidden from view by tree limbs, leaves or standing water.
Rain showers and southerly winds will intensify across the area overnight into Monday, followed by increasing winds, with possible gusts to 50 mph and moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, during the day Monday. Severe thunderstorms are possible, with the best chance of those storms occurring between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday.
O&R company and contractor overhead line crews and tree removal experts are ramping up for a high-volume outage response to the storm, as will damage assessment, site safety, customer service operations and the wide array of O&R teams that support those functions. All personnel working on this emergency response will remain focused on maintaining safe, reliable service while protecting their families, customers and themselves.
