Power Restoration and Safety

Last updated on Tuesday, November 6th, at 1:00 P.M.

We continue to work around the clock to try and restore power and gas to all those who still do not have any. People without power should make sure they register their power outage with their power company as it will help expedite power restoration and ensure the safest restoration process possible.

For those whose homes flooded out and whose electrical equipment was damaged as a result, there are some steps that need to be taken before your power can be restored. Before you can be reconnected to the network, you must pump out all the water from the affected area, repair any damaged electrical equipment, and then have a contractor come and check the electrical system. The contractor must then call your power company with his or her license number and confirm that the building is safe to be restored with power. Continue to keep your power company updated about the status of the process as it will help increase the rate at which power is restored.

Here are a few tips provided by power companies on how to go about expediting and ensuring a safe restoration of power, general safety tips, and answers to frequently asked questions:

Simplified Certification Process Helps Restore 

ConEd

Service Faster

A simplified process for turn-on requests will speed service restoration to buildings in flood
zones. Because flood waters can damage privately-owned electric and gas equipment,
New York City Building Code requires a licensed electrician to certify that systems can be
energized. This process is coordinated through the NYC Department of Buildings. Through
November 23, the city is allowing building owners to file a Self Certification Form directly
with utilities, to restore service faster.

Here are three steps to self-certify:

1.  Get your electrical equipment inspected, cleaned, and repaired by a licensed electrician.
2.  Direct your electrician to conEd.com/es to complete a Self Certification Form. 
3.  E-mail your Self Certification Form to:

Brooklyn   dl-HurricaneSandyBrooklynQueens@conEd.com 
Manhattan  dl-HurricaneSandyManhattan@conEd.com 
Queens   dl-HurricaneSandyBrooklynQueens@conEd.com 
Staten Island    dl-HurricaneSandyStatenIsland@conEd.com

Self Certification forms are also available in Customer Outreach vans in communities most
affected by flooding. Staff will also accept completed forms.

A service turn-on will be scheduled once the certification form is received.

Questions?  Contact Con Edison Energy Services, seven days a week, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Brooklyn   718-802-6349
Manhattan  212-780- 3136
Queens  718-802-6322
Staten Island  718-390-6373 or 718-390-6387

All other service restoration requests, as well as flood-zone requests received after 
November 23, will require standard NYC Department of Buildings certification filings.
For issues related to your gas service, call National Grid at 718-643-4050.

National Grid

Customers who plan to use generators should be sure to follow all safety instructions including disconnecting their wiring system from their local electric distributor's system before operating the generator.  Failure to do so could cause serious injury – or worse – to crews working to restore power. 

Never, under any circumstances, use a generator indoors and be sure to keep it a safe distance from a home or business.  Deadly carbon monoxide fumes can enter through an open window, door or other space.

Power Restoration Issues

Without electricity, electric pilots do not work thus giving the customer the impression they have no gas when they turn on the appliance.

Without electricity, electric pilots on stoves do not work thus causing an odor of gas to be emanated from the appliance when it’s not lit off from the electric pilot. This is not a gas leak. The gas odor is due to the customer turning on the gas which is not igniting due to no electric pilot.

When a basement is flooded, all appliances that are affected by the flood (heating, hot water, dryer, etc.) must be serviced by a private contractor.  Appliances that come in contact with water may not operate and must be inspected prior to gas service being restored.

Each customer location affected by the flood water where the gas was turned off needs the gas meter and regulator to be checked and replaced if needed.  After this process is complete, then the gas will be turned on and any gas appliances not effected by flood conditions will be relit.  The customer must be home for this to be completed.

As part of the restoration process, it may be necessary to make excavations in the street in front of your home.

Alternative Heating Safety

As the temperatures drop and customers remain without power, please only use safe alternative sources of heat. The following is a list of general guidelines related to alternative heating resources.

• Children should not have access to portable heaters, electric or fuel powered.
• Do not burn anything larger than candles inside your home without providing good ventilation such as opening windows, doors and fireplace flumes.
• All heaters that run on fuel (natural gas, kerosene, butane, oil) should be vented. The only exception to this rule is electric heaters.
• Do not use the kitchen oven or stove top to heat your home. This can be a fire hazard as well as a source of toxic fumes.
• "Space" heaters need their space. Keep anything combustible at least three feet away.
• If you are using supplemental portable electric heaters, never use an extension cord. Plug them directly into the electrical outlet.
• Before purchasing a portable heater, make sure it has "tip switches." These switches are designed to automatically shut off the heating unit in the event it tips over.
• Never refill a space heater while it is in operation or is still hot.
• ONLY refuel heaters outdoors! Use the type of fuel recommended by the manufacturer, and follow instructions carefully.
• Glass doors or a metal screen should be placed in front of your fireplace to prevent sparks or hot ash from igniting carpets, furniture, or other combustible items.
• Do not burn charcoal designed for barbecues indoors -- not even in a fireplace or wood-burning stove. It releases odorless, but toxic, carbon monoxide fumes and can cause death!
• Install smoke alarms that are equipped with a battery back up in your home. Make sure that smoke alarms are on every level of the home as well as near every bedroom in the home. Test the alarms monthly, and change the batteries at least once a year

Purchase and install a carbon monoxide alarm for your home. Make sure it is marked with the Underwriter's Laboratory (UL) safety listing. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for placement in your home.