PSEG: Over 300,000 restorations made so far, still over 100,000 without power

At the height of the storm, Isaias knocked out power for close to half a million PSEG customers on the Island.

News 12 Staff

Aug 6, 2020, 10:30 AM

Updated 1,496 days ago

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Gov. Andrew Cuomo is calling for an investigation into the Isaias responses by several utilities - including PSEG Long Island.
Over 48 hours after the storm hit, over 300,000 people have had power restored, according to PSEGLI, but fewer than 108,000 are still in the dark.
At the height of the storm, Isaias knocked out power for close to half a million PSEG customers on the Island.
Many Long Islanders are telling News 12 that they still can't get a straight answer about when their power will be back on.
On Tuesday, right after the storm, PSEG's texting app and online outage reporting system were unreachable. PSEG blamed the issues on Verizon.
PSEGLI's outage figures on their website have also lagged far behind other numbers it has released. The company said Wednesday that is in part because out-of-state workers helping in the process cannot report their work in real time.
The governor is directing the Department of Public Services to launch an investigation into the responses of both Verizon and PSEG.
Some state senators are calling for the state attorney general to investigate.
"This was not a hurricane, and the fact that they failed this test from a communication standpoint makes me wonder do we have to look at this whole situation again?" says State Sen. Jim Gaughran.
The power issues have also been dangerous for some. News 12 spoke to one Levittown resident whose brother was left paralyzed by a sports injury. He says he periodically needs a breathing machine to survive.
So far, that family has spent hundreds on gas for their generator to keep that medical equipment running. They say they've made countless attempts to contact PSEGLI, and even flagged down a field crew.
"They put you on hold and they disconnect you. Nobody talks to you, nobody will call you back," says John Yevoli.
PSEG Long Island was brought in to replace LIPA, after its response to Superstorm Sandy nearly eight years ago.
PSEG Long Island estimates 85% of customers will be restored by the end of the day Friday.
Because of the extent of the outages, PSEG Long Island is opening four customer outreach centers from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Friday, providing people with free water and ice. These centers will offer drive-thru service.
The locations are:
  • Patchogue - 460 E Main St
  • Brentwood - 1650 Islip Ave
  • Greenlawn -  288 Pulaski Rd
  • Roslyn - 250 Willis Ave
  • Woodmere - Five Towns Shopping Center- 253-01 Rockaway Blvd
  • Babylon - Babylon Town Hall - 200 E Sunrise Hwy
 
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