It might not be until Sunday for the hardest hit areas to get power back, a spokesman for National Grid said Thursday.
Most of the more than 225,000 National Grid customers who lost power during a fast moving but fierce storm Wednesday afternoon, will have it back by Saturday evening, said Patrick Stella. But, he said, some areas of Albany, Rensselaer and Schenectady counties may have to wait an extra day.
As of 7 p.m. Thursday, National Grid has restored power to nearly 135,000 and more are added by the hour.
“This storm has been extremely damaging to our electricity system,” said Matt Barnett, vice president of New York Electric Operations. “We understand that the inconvenience of being without power is especially frustrating during this challenging time, with so many of our customers working from home and children learning remotely. Our crews will continue to be out there in full force bringing service back to customers as quickly as possible.”
There are more than 2,000 National Grid employees and contractors from as far away as Indiana, Michigan and Canada working around the clock to restore the damage done by the storm that was the worst since the remnants of Hurricane Irene ripped through upstate in 2011.
It was short lived, lasting only about 30 minutes, but it brought heavy rain and straight-line winds of up to 90 mph.
Trees were down all over the Capital District and crews first had to open the many closed roads and clear the debris from the fallen lines to allow National Grid workers access to the damaged electrical systems.
National Grid will be giving away dry ice to those without power from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday at the following locations:
- Crossgates Mall near the Macy’s entrance
- Pittstown Rescue Squad at 60 Parker School Road in Johnsonville
- Schenectady County Department of Public Works at 100 Kellar Ave. in Schenectady
