Hurricane season officially kicks off June 1, and forecasts predict an especially active six months. We know residents on Long Island and the Rockaways are no strangers to the dangers that can come with hurricanes; but like any major weather event, PSEG Long Island is prepared to keep our customers safe.
Safety extends far beyond the realm of electricity. We want to ensure our customers know who to contact for all facets of an emergency. PSEG Long Island joined forces with The American Red Cross of Long Island, National Grid, Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone and Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano at the annual hurricane press conference to prepare and support our customers before, during and after a storm.
Keep these resources handy so you’ll know who to contact depending on your needs.
Electrical emergencies:
If you or a neighbor are without power, there are a few quick and easy options to report an outage: online, at www.psegliny.com/stormcenter; by phone at 1-800-490-0075; or by text, by texting OUT to 773454 (PSEGLI). Also, be sure to visit our new, interactive, mobile-friendly outage map for restoration updates, crew statuses and more.
Gas emergencies:
If you smell natural gas, or suspect a gas leak, contact National Grid immediately. Abnormal pressure (high/low flame) or no gas in all your gas appliance; a continuous flow of water leaking from gas heating unit or water heating unit; and a white cloud of mist, fog or bubbles in standing water, all constitute gas emergencies as well. For a complete list of emergency indicators, visit here.
Shelter emergencies:
In times of crisis, it is conceivable the Rockaways, and Nassau and Suffolk County residents could be evacuated. If you and your family are in need of a place to go, the American Red Cross is here to help. Visit their shelter map to find open and available shelters near you to keep your loved ones safe.
The Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) also provides shelter to those in need. Its Disaster Recovery Center Locator allows individuals to search for the nearest shelter to their home, and provides hours of operation, services provided, directions and more.
Transportation needs:
Storms can cause damage and thus, major changes in how Long Islanders get around. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the Long Island Rail Road’s (LIRR) website for train delays, changes and cancellations.
5-1-1 New York is another vital reference for residents, particularly near the time of a storm. The online service allows users to enter their current location and desired destination, and shows road closures or other anticipated issues along the route.
For those who take the bus, Nassau Inter-County Express and the Suffolk County Transit Bus twitter account offers service alerts to notify customers of any change in route.
Additional resources:
BeReadyLI: This all-encompassing online resource came about as a partnership between PSEG Long Island, The United Way of Long Island, and 2-1-1. It offers visitors resources across our service territory to prepare for storms; news and alerts on storm events; and more.
Nassau County Office of Emergency Management: The Office of Emergency Management (OEM) offers residents information on storm preparedness, Nassau County Executive Ed Mangano, weather advisories, tips for staying safe during a major weather event, and more.
Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management: Like Nassau’s OEM, Suffolk County’s OEM offers residents important information on how to stay safe during storms, office contact and location information, information on Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, and more.
2-1-1: The non-profit offers residents across Long Island and the Rockaways non-emergency health and human services information including food assistance, child or elderly care, and more; as well as severe weather information; and hurricane preparedness information.
For more information on how to stay connected during a storm, follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
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