Hazardous winter weather prompted renewed safety warnings from PSEG Long Island, as strong winds and heavy rain downed trees, branches and power lines across the region.
A fast-moving weather system brought wind gusts that exceeded forecasts, nearing 60 miles per hour in some locations. Falling trees and debris caused scattered power outages and dangerous conditions along roadways and residential areas.
PSEG Long Island emphasized that public safety remains its top priority during winter storms, particularly when high winds and saturated ground increase the risk of falling trees and downed wires.
Residents are reminded to treat all downed wires as energized and extremely dangerous. People should stay far away, keep children and pets clear, and never drive over or stand near fallen wires. Downed wires should be reported immediately by calling PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number at 800-490-0075 or by contacting 911.
Standing water also poses a serious hazard, as electricity travels easily through water. Anyone encountering flooded areas should stop, back up, and choose another route.
PSEG Long Island also warned against improper generator use during outages. Generators and gasoline-powered equipment should never be used indoors, in garages, or near windows or doors. Units should be placed at least 20 feet from structures and connected using extension cords long enough to maintain that distance.
Customers are encouraged to stay informed by downloading the PSEG Long Island mobile app, texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454), or visiting psegliny.com and the MyPower outage map for real-time updates and safety information during storms across the service area.