Restoring electric, natural gas services after flooding. What to know

Democrat and Chronicle
Updated ·2 min read

New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) and Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E) are working with local emergency management officials to address the ongoing flooding situation in Canandaigua and other parts of New York.

As a safety precaution, NYSEG has turned off natural gas service in flooded areas, while RG&E has turned off electric service as per the request of local Emergency Management Officials, according to company officials.

Approximately 120 NYSEG natural gas customers and 680 RG&E electric customers are currently impacted, company officials said.

NYSEG and RG&E are maintaining close coordination with the Ontario County Office for Emergency Management, local fire departments, and municipal authorities. The restoration of services will commence as soon as these organizations confirm it is safe to do so, company officials said.

NYSEG and RG&E are asking customers affected by flooding to review the below important information:

Restoring electric service after flooding

  • If electric service has been shut off due to unsafe conditions, such as submersion of the main fuse box or circuit breaker box in water, it must be inspected by a certified electrical inspector before restoration.

  • After floodwaters recede, customers should contact an electrician to verify the safety of restoring electric service before contacting the utility company.

  • Presence of a responsible individual is required for service restoration, along with a dry basement and a clean electrical panel free from debris.

  • Customers and contractors should never attempt to restore electric service themselves.

Restoring natural gas service after flooding

  • NYSEG employees are the only ones authorized to restore natural gas service; others should not attempt to do so.

  • To have NYSEG natural gas service reinstated, specific conditions must be met, including the presence of the customer during reconnection, absence of standing water in the basement, availability of electricity, and assessment of NYSEG equipment by their crews.

  • At least one natural gas appliance unaffected by the flood must be ready for ignition. A plumbing or heating contractor should ensure that gas appliances impacted by the flood are in working order before NYSEG reconnects and relights the pilots.

  • Flood-affected appliances will be identified and isolated by NYSEG representatives, requiring customers to engage a plumbing or heating contractor for necessary repairs. NYSEG will then remove the tag and restore service once repairs are completed.

Customers with questions about reconnecting services can call 800-572-1121 for NYSEG natural gas and 800-743-1701 for RG&E electric. Additional information and safety tips can be found on the NYSEG and RG&E websites.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Restoring electric, natural gas services after NY flooding. What to know