O&R Preps For Thunderstorms Wednesday

PEARL RIVER, NY — Orange & Rockland is preparing Wednesday to deploy its emergency response team to repair damage and restore electric service outages that could result from potential scattered, isolated severe thunderstorms that could develop across the area between mid-afternoon and 10 p.m.

SEE: Heat, Bad Air, Thunderstorms: Hudson Valley Wednesday

A severe thunderstorm is defined as packing wind gusts of 57 mph or more, hail of one inch or more in diameter, and heavy rains. The predicted potential severe storms could damage trees, utility poles, and overhead electric wires, causing power outages.

O&R company and contractor overhead line crews and tree removal experts are ramping up to mobilize as are site safety, customer service operations and the wide array of O&R teams that support those functions.

O&R officials reminded people to stay clear of downed electric wires. Don’t go near any downed wire. Assume it is energized and dangerous. Call O&R immediately toll-free at 1-877-434-4100. If the situation requires urgent action, call your local police to divert traffic until an O&R crew arrives.

If you experience a power outage, don’t assume that O&R automatically knows about it. You can report it and check to see when your lights will be back on:

• www.oru.com/ReportOutage from any computer or web-based mobile device.
• O&R mobile app from your iPhone, iPad or Android device: download via Apple Store or Google Play.
• Text messaging by texting “OUT” to 69678 (myORU) or
• Call 1-877-434-4100.