Clean-Up Time as NJ Transit & PSEG Report Storm Damage - PSEG Update 5:30 PM 8/6/20

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Here's an update on NJ Transit and PSEG today, as they clean up and work to restore service in impacted areas hit hard by storm

NJ. Transit

In the aftermath of yesterday's  intense and damaging storm, NJ TRANSIT anticipates service on the Northeast Corridor will resume with weekend service at 10:00 a.m. tomorrow, Wednesday August 5, and Atlantic City Rail Line service will resume with regular weekday service.  Morris & Essex, Montclair-Boonton, Main, Bergen, Pascack Valley, North Jersey Coast Line, Raritan Valley and Port Jervis rail lines will remain temporarily suspended for tomorrow morning’s commute as crews continue to work around the clock to clear approximately 150 trees, repair signal systems and repair overhead wires which power trains.  These lines will resume service on a weekend schedule once these repairs are complete and tracks are inspected.

Crews will continue to work through the overnight hours to repair the extensive damage to signal systems and overhead wires caused by the storm’s strong winds, which also toppled numerous trees throughout the state.

PSEG

Update August 6 at 5:30 PM:
PSE&G estimates that Tropical Storm Isaias is its fifth most severe storm in history and the second most severe, to Superstorm Sandy, in the past eight years. With crews working 16-hour shifts and around the clock, PSE&G expects to have at least 85% of customers without power restored by tomorrow. As of 4:45 p.m., PSE&G has made strong progress and restored power to about 475,000 customers, with about 100,000 customers still without power.

  • PSE&G estimates that Tropical Storm Isaias is its fifth most severe storm in history and the second most severe, to Superstorm Sandy, in the past eight years. With crews working 16-hour shifts and around the clock, PSE&G expects to have at least 85% of customers without power restored by tomorrow.
  • As of 4:45 p.m., PSE&G has made strong progress and restored power to about 475,000 customers, with about 100,000 customers still without power. Some difficult restorations may continue through the weekend -- possibly into Monday. Crews are working 24/7.
  • PSE&G urges customers who have not reported their power outage to do so directly, ASAP. A neighbor’s report does not cover the next address as neighbors can be on different electric circuits. We appreciate our customers’ patience and want them to know we’re working as quickly and safely as possible to restore power.
  • Since the Tuesday storm, approximately 575,000, or 25%, of our 2.3 million electric customers reported a power outage or damage associated with Isaias. We understand an extended power outage can be disruptive, and we sincerely apologize for any inconvenience our customers may have experienced as a result of the storm.
  • We have nearly 3,300 of workers dedicated to the restoration effort. This includes additional tree crews and lineworkers from 15 states and Canada, who are up to the challenge of getting your power back on.
  • PSE&G Customer Comfort Stations are open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in our hardest hit counties, in Lawrenceville, Lumberton, Newark, Paramus, Roselle and Willingboro. Note: Friday’s hours for all are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Following physical distancing and state health guidelines, customers can receive free water and ice at those locations. Please check PSEG Energize! for updated hours of operation.
  • We understand that with so many customers working from home and with others unable to go out, our customers depend on us now more than ever. Our repair crews are up to the challenge and dedicated to restoring customers as quickly and safely possible. If you haven’t already done so, please contact us directly to let us know if your power is out.
  • The estimated times for restoration customers see in our outage map are based on a number of factors including damage assessment, weather hazards and road conditions. As individual jobs are completed, work plans are optimized and restoration times are adjusted. Some times more than one repair is needed to restore a customer’s service. If customers are signed up to receive alerts, they will receive an automatic update about the change. 
  • In terms of restoration, we must take many factors into consideration including road hazards and weather conditions. When restoring power, crews start with priority customers – such as hospitals, emergency services (police and fire stations), and power facilities – then move on to the circuits serving the largest number of customers.
  • In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have adapted our storm and safety procedures to follow public health guidelines and industry best practices. We thank our customers for their patience as we operate under these unusual circumstances to safely restore power as quickly as possible. There may be delays for some repairs due to the new health and safety procedures in response to the current health crisis.
  • PSE&G encourage customers to stay connected with us throughout the restoration process. Receive status updates, updated estimated time of restoration or report a new outage:
    • Mobile app for Apple or Android devices
    • Customer Service 1-800-436-PSEG
    • Outagecenter.pseg.com, “Outage Map,” updated every 15 minutes
    • Text “REG” to 47734 to receive text notifications

Important safety notes:

  • Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines and immediately call PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734) or 911 to report downed wires.
  • To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run any gasoline-powered generators in a garage or any other enclosed space.
  • If you are on life-sustaining medical equipment, ensure that you alert PSE&G in advance and notify your local police and fire departments. For more information, visit www.pseg.com/life.

Pasted and below please see our 10 a.m. media update.  We also included our last update from 8/4 for your reference. 

 

We will be hosting a media update and Q&A session for members of the media via zoom today at 11 a.m., (Wednesday, August 5).

To attend, please email: UtilityCommunications@pseg.com

 

 

 

For immediate release

August 5, 2020; 10:00 AM

 

Update August 5, 2020; 8:00 AM:

  • As of 10:00 a.m., approximately 575,000 of our 2.3 million customers reported a power outage or damage associated with Tropical Storm Isaias. We have restored power to 275,000 customers and have less than 300,000 customers still without power.

 

  • As of 7 a.m. Wed, we have close to 700 critical facilities still without power – that’s hospitals, police/fire/ambulance, gas stations, transit systems, supermarkets, nursing homes – other utilities –water and sewage companies. 

 

  • As damage assessment continues, PSE&G believes that Isaias is among the strongest storms to hit our service territory in recent years, and that some outages could last for an extended period.

 

  • The estimated times for restoration customers see in the outage map are based on a number of factors including damage assessment, weather hazards and road conditions. As individual jobs are completed, work plans are optimized and restoration times are adjusted. Some times more than one repair is need to restore a customer’s service. If customers are signed up to receive alerts, they will receive an automatic update about the change. 

 

  • PSE&G is working as safely and quickly as possible to restore power, and has nearly 2,800 workers dedicated to restoration. Through mutual aid resources, we have requested 1,700 workers to repair damage – from 15 states and as far away as Canada.

 

  • In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have adapted our storm and safety procedures to follow public health guidelines and industry best practices. We thank our customers for their patience as we operate under these unusual circumstances to safely restore power as quickly as possible. There may be delays for some repairs due to the new health and safety procedures in response to the current health crisis.

 

  • PSE&G is setting up several Customer Comfort Stations. Following physical distancing and state health guidelines, customers can receive free water and ice. We ask that everyone wear masks or face coverings and remain physically distant. Location and hours of operations will be shared directly with customers and on PSEG on Facebook and Twitter @PSEGdelivers.

 

  • PSE&G encourage customers to stay connected with us throughout the restoration process. Receive status updates, updated estimated time of restoration or report a new outage:
    • Mobile app for Apple or Android devices
    • Customer Service 1-800-436-PSEG
    • Outagecenter.pseg.com, “Outage Map,” updated every 15 minutes
    • Text “REG” to 47734 to receive text notifications

 

Important safety notes:

  • Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines and immediately call PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734) or 911 to report downed wires.
  • To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, do not run any gasoline-powered generators in a garage or any other enclosed space.
  • If you are on life-sustaining medical equipment, ensure that you alert PSE&G in advance and notify your local police and fire departments. For more information, visit www.pseg.com/life.

 

 

  • Heavy rain, strong winds and hazardous gusts continue across PSE&G’s service territory causing downed trees, branches and wires affecting, as of 4:45 PM, approximately 490,000 of our 2.3 million customers. 
  • With tornado, flood and other weather warnings across the state, PSE&G anticipates that Isaias may be among the strongest storms to hit our service territory in recent years, and that some outages could last for an extended period. See outage map for updates. The restoration process is four steps: Assessing damage, clearing roads and restoring emergency facilities (hospitals, fire stations, etc.), then restoring facilities serving large numbers of customers and finally restoring single outages. 
  • PSE&G is working as safely and quickly as possible to restore customers without power, and has nearly 2,800 workers dedicated to restoration.
  • PSE&G has secured outside personnel, including tree and line crews, to repair damage and respond to outages:
    • PSE&G has requested 1,700 workers through mutual aid from Alabama, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, Nova Scotia, Oklahoma and Pennsylvania.
    • 253 tree trimming crews, including 643 workers, are responding to clear extensive tree damage from the storm.
  • PSE&G reminds customers that its crews are unable to work in bucket trucks to make repairs until wind speeds fall to non-hazardous levels.
  • Crews are working to assess damage and make repairs. As we learn more about the extent of the damage, restoration times will be adjusted. 
  • In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, we have adapted our storm and safety procedures to follow public health guidelines and industry best practices. We thank our customers for their patience as we operate under these unusual circumstances to safely restore power as quickly as possible.
  • As always, our goal is to restore power safely and as quickly as possible. We ask our customers for a fair amount of patience and want to assure everyone we will be there just as soon as it is safe.

 

Customer Safety:

  • Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Stay at least 30 feet away from downed lines and immediately call PSE&G at 1-800-436-PSEG (7734) or 911 to report downed wires.
  • Electric current passes easily through water, so stay away from downed lines and electrical wires. Don't drive over – and don't stand near – downed wires.
  • Downed lines will be hard to see in the rain and can potentially be hidden in standing water. If you encounter large pools of standing water, stop, back up and choose another path.
  • The safety of PSE&G’s customers and employees is the company’s top priority. We ask that customers remain in their homes while crews are working nearby. If customers must speak with our crews, we ask that they practice responsible “social distancing” and remain at least 6 feet away to ensure the health of everyone involved. For more information about how PSE&G continues to live up to its commitments during the pandemic, please visit https://nj.pseg.com/safetyandreliability/safetytips/coronavirus.

 

 

Bus, light rail and Access Link services will all operate on a regular weekday schedule. Rail ticket and passes will be cross-honored with PATH at Newark Penn Station, Hoboken, and 33rd Street, NJ TRANSIT light rail, bus and private carriers.

 

Customers should visit the njtransit.com website for the latest service information and monitor news reports about service levels.