National Grid Says They’re Preparing For Damaging Winds For Wednesday Night

National Grid says they have increased their staffing and will extend their evening and overnight sights tonight, Wednesday November 5th, due to a forecasted cold front that could bring damaging wind gusts and thunderstorms throughout Upstate New York. The company says they have also secured external resources to support any needed power restoration efforts.

National Grid’s comprehensive emergency response plan includes:

• Mobilizing internal line, field and tree crews, and securing external resources.
• Pre-staging crews and materials in areas anticipated to be most severely impacted.
• Proactively reaching out to elected, municipal and emergency management officials to keep them updated on our preparations and provide safety information.
• Reaching out directly to customers through traditional and social media, email and texts and on our website to provide safety information and to urge them to be prepared.
• Conducting outbound calls to life support and critical facility customers to ensure they are prepared.

“Our line workers, field teams, support staff and contractor crews are prepared for this incoming storm,” said Kyle Bentley, National Grid New York’s Vice President for Electric Operations. “There’s never a convenient time for a storm to strike, but our crews are at the ready if the weather impacts our energy delivery system.”

For Cortland County, the National Weather Service in Binghamton says winds will be between 20 and 30 mph with gusts possible between 45 and 50 mph. Gusty winds are expected until about 5am Thursday morning. A wind advisory is in effect until 7am Thursday.