Strong wind gusts Thursday evening and overnight toppled trees and limbs onto powerlines, interrupting electric service to approximately 40,000 customers of Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation. The utility has mobilized repair crews and support staff to address the more than 500 damage locations as a result of the storm, and as of 8:30 a.m. today 30,000 outages are reported. The hardest hit areas include Dutchess and Ulster counties, although power outages are reported throughout Central Hudson’s 8-county service area. Statewide, the storm has impacted more than 220,000 homes and businesses, and more than 600,000 in the northeast region of the country.

“Our field force of more than 250 electric line and tree workers are repairing damage, and will be joined by 50 electric line workers from Canada on Saturday,” said Paul E. Haering, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Operations. “In addition, personnel are surveying the extent of the damage to help determine the length of the restoration time, although we do expect repairs will continue into Saturday and possibly later.” 

Windy conditions are expected to last through Friday evening, presenting the potential for new outage reports during the day.

Haering stressed that residents should stay at least 30 feet away from downed power lines, and 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.

Haering urged customers to keep safety in mind in the aftermath of severe weather:

• Stay at least 30 feet away from downed power lines, and remember that lines may be entangled and hidden in fallen trees. Assume all downed lines are live;
• Never use outdoor gas or charcoal grills indoors, as they pose a fire hazard and over time can give off carbon monoxide gas;
• Beware of fallen trees and limbs, and use caution or traveling;
• Avoid the use of candles for illumination due to fire hazards;
• Follow the manufacturer's safety instructions on the use of emergency generators, and be sure to shut off the main breaker when in use and operate the units outdoors;
• Operate cars and motor vehicles outdoors only, and never inside the garage; and
• Avoid travel along roadways as hazardous conditions may cause driving accidents, including those involving utility poles which may cause power interruptions.

Customers can stay informed of storm and restoration conditions in the following ways:

• By text messaging: Customers should enroll in Central Hudson's Texting Program to use text messaging to report their power condition and to obtain repair status. To enroll, visit CentralHudson.com/Alerts or text REG to 236483;
• On the Web: Visit CentralHudson.com/Storms to report outages and obtain restoration updates;
• Via smart phones: A mobile version of the Central Hudson's website can be accessed by web-enabled cell phones and mobile devices at https://mobile.CenHud.com. Free Central Hudson mobile applications for Android and Apple and are also available by logging onto CentralHudson.com/mobileapp;
• Through social media:  "Like" Central Hudson on Facebook (com/ CentralHudson) and "Follow" on Twitter (www.Twitter.com/CentralHudson); and
• By phone: Call the Central Hudson PowerLine at (845) 452-2700 or 1-800-527-2714, and please use the automated system to report or monitor your power condition.

More information on preparing for storms and emergencies and communicating with Central Hudson is available at www.CentralHudson.com; for information regarding electric and natural gas safety, visit www.CentralHudson.com/Safety.