Press Release
PSEG Long Island is Prepared for High Heat and Strong Thunderstorms
(UNIONDALE, N.Y. – July 17, 2024) With a heat advisory [weather.gov] in effect through Wednesday evening and strong thunderstorms possible Wednesday afternoon, PSEG Long Island has sufficient electric capacity to meet projected peak demand and is prepared for extreme weather.
According to the National Weather Service, high heat and humidity will continue today, with heat indices approaching or exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat index is a measure of how hot it really feels when relative humidity is factored in with the actual air temperature.
Scattered thunderstorms are also expected to develop Wednesday afternoon ahead of a cold front. Isolated storms may be strong with peak wind gusts of 35-55 mph possible — enough to potentially topple trees, bring down branches on wires and cause outages.
PSEG Long Island has personnel ready to respond safely and as quickly as possible throughout the storm.
“PSEG Long Island is closely monitoring both the heat and the thunderstorms and we are prepared for potential impacts on the system. We have performed system and logistic checks, and have a full complement of personnel who will mobilize for restoration in foul weather conditions. Our crews will work to safely restore any outages as quickly as conditions will allow.”
- Michael Sullivan, Vice President of Electric Operations, PSEG Long Island.
Customers are asked to note the important storm safety tips below and to visit psegliny.com/safetyandreliability/stormsafety for additional storm preparation information.
Customer Safety:
- Downed wires should always be considered “live.” Please stay as far away as possible from them, and do not drive over or stand near them. To report a downed wire, call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number at 800-490-0075 or call 911.
- Electric current passes easily through water. If you encounter a pool of standing water, stop, back up and choose another path.
- Never use a generator or any gasoline-powered engine inside your home, basement, or garage or less than 20 feet from any window, door, or vent. Use an extension cord that is more than 20 feet long to keep the generator at a safe distance.
During extreme heat conditions, customers should:
- Seek out air-conditioned spaces, if possible, if their homes become too warm.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Avoid drinks with caffeine or alcohol.
- Avoid wearing dark colors because they absorb the sun’s rays.
- Never leave children or pets alone in enclosed vehicles.
- Avoid strenuous exercise during the hottest part of the day, which is between 10 AM and 2 PM.
- Download the PSEG Long Island mobile app to report outages and receive information on restoration times, crew locations and more.
- Report an outage and receive status updates by texting OUT to PSEGLI (773454). You can also report your outage through our app or our website at psegliny.com/outages.
- To report an outage or downed wire, you can also call PSEG Long Island’s 24-hour Electric Service number at 800-490-0075.
- Follow PSEG Long Island on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) to report an outage and for updates before, during and after the storm.
- Visit PSEG Long Island’s MyPower map for the latest in outage info, restoration times and crew locations across Long Island and the Rockaways at mypowermap.psegliny.com/.
High temperatures and high electric demand can sometimes cause scattered, heat-related outages. PSEG Long Island will have additional personnel available to address outages safely and as quickly as possible.
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PSEG Long Island
PSEG Long Island operates the Long Island Power Authority’s transmission and distribution system under a long-term contract. PSEG Long Island is a subsidiary of Public Service Enterprise Group Inc. (PSEG) (NYSE:PEG), a publicly traded diversified energy company.