More than 15,000 PSEG customers without power
PSEG was reporting 345 active outages across Long Island, impacting more than 15,000 customers as of 9 a.m. Monday. Credit: PSEG
PSEG spokeswoman Elizabeth Flagler said the Long Island grid is “performing well” through the blizzard, though “challenges” remain in restoring outages through high winds and whiteout snow and high drifts.
The utility has restored power to over 13,000 customers since Sunday afternoon but more than 15,000 remained out as of 9:30 am, and it's unclear how soon those can be restored.
Flagler said high snowfall and poor travel conditions have led to some restoration vehicles getting stuck in the snow and added, “We are working to overcome these challenges.”
“Crews continue to respond safely and as quickly as possible,” she said in an email. “For safety reasons, field crews at times may be unable to make repairs during periods of high winds. As soon as the winds subside to safe levels, we will immediately focus on customer restoration.”
Spokeswoman Katy Tatzel told NewsdayTV the company has “crews on the ground that are going to restore power whenever it is safe to do so.”
A PSEG worker who wasn’t authorized to speak for the company told Newsday some crews in trucks have been hampered by uncleared roadways and drifts, and at least one needed to get towed out of a drift.
Mark Harrington, a Newsday reporter since 1999, covers energy, wineries, Indian affairs and fisheries.
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