Huntington woman who is 9 months pregnant finally sees power restoration 9 days later

Going nine days without power would be rough on anyone, but it has left a profound impact on those in medically vulnerable positions.

News 12 Staff

Aug 12, 2020, 6:40 PM

Updated 1,497 days ago

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Going nine days without power would be rough on anyone, but it left a profound impact on those in medically vulnerable positions.
Rebecca Gutierrez, of Huntington, is nine months pregnant and hadn't had power since Isaias hit last week. Her family was so desperate to see a restoration that they put up a sign on their property, practically begging PSEGLI to help.
Gutierrez is 10 days from her due date for her third child. But during what's normally an exciting time, she's been suffering through more discomfort due to the heat.
The family had been contacting PSEGLI daily since the storm, telling them that Gutierrez is not only pregnant, but also asthmatic.
"I definitely feel like we're being ignored. We pay our electric bill, we pay our taxes and nobody is here to help us. This is unacceptable. It wasn't even a full-blown hurricane. We need help," said Gutierrez.
Shortly after her story ran on News 12 Wednesday afternoon, PSEGLI crews finally arrived at her home. But the family is still left worried about what happens the next time a storm hits.
"What if another big one like Sandy hits? Then what? We are really worried," says Alin Airinei, Rebecca's husband.
News 12 has spoken to many people in medically vulnerable positions who went days without power. In response, state Sen. Jim Gaughran is calling for an overhaul of the utility's Critical Care Program by giving oversight to the Public Service Commission.
"You need a communication system for a utility because you have situations like Rebecca's and senior citizens'. These are life and death issues," says Gaughran.
Meanwhile in Roslyn Heights, Marlene Millman, 80, just got her power back too.
"It was terrible. I didn't have a stove because it was electric. I didn't have air conditioning, I didn't have anything," says Millman.
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