Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) is preparing to mobilize its emergency response team as strong winds, rain, and potentially severe thunderstorms are forecasted to impact the area on Wednesday. The predicted weather could disrupt electric service due to high winds, lightning, and fallen trees or branches, which may interfere with the safe and reliable delivery of power. O&R urges the public to prioritize safety by avoiding any downed wires, assuming they are energized and dangerous. Residents are advised to call O&R immediately at 1-877-434-4100 to report downed wires and, if necessary, contact local police to divert traffic until crews arrive.
In the event of a power outage, O&R reminds customers not to assume their outage has been reported automatically. Outages can be reported via the O&R website, the mobile app, text messaging by texting “OUT” to 678797 (ORUPWR), or by calling the toll-free number. Once the storm passes and conditions are safe, O&R crews will assess the damage and prioritize restoring power. Focus will be placed on clearing downed wires, repairing critical and emergency facilities such as police stations and hospitals, and addressing outages that impact the largest number of customers before tackling smaller outages and individual service disruptions.
O&R also shared key safety tips to help residents prepare and stay safe. These include maintaining a safe distance of at least 50 feet from downed wires and any objects they may be touching, such as puddles or fences, and ensuring children and pets are kept away from the area. If a downed wire is draped over a vehicle, remain a safe distance away and wait for emergency personnel to handle the situation. Portable generators should be used according to the manufacturer’s instructions to avoid risks such as backfeeding electricity through power lines, which can endanger repair crews.
Residents with electric vehicles (EVs) are encouraged to keep their vehicles charged between 75% and 90% in case of extended power outages. EVs can be charged using standard home outlets or Level 2 chargers, which offer faster charging. For those unable to charge at home, public charging stations may be an option.
To enhance its response capabilities during the storm, O&R plans to deploy additional company and contractor crews, tree removal experts, and customer service operators. The company has also secured 50 mutual aid crew members to assist with storm-related emergencies as needed. For the latest updates on power outages, customers can access O&R’s Outage Map and view a step-by-step video guide on its usage.