Orange and Rockland Prepares For Damaging Weather This Weekend

Orange and Rockland Utilities is preparing to deploy its emergency response crews to repair potential damage and restore possible power outages that could result from severe weather crossing the area from Saturday night through Monday.

On Saturday, moderate to heavy rains are expected to roll through the region beginning at about 7 p.m. Saturday and wrapping up about 2 a.m. Sunday. Total rainfall expected is about 0.5 – 2.0 inches. High winds, gusting as high as 35 mph, are expected to accompany those heavy rains. O&R will augment normal crewing to meet the demands of that event Saturday night.

On Sunday, a severe windstorm, packing strong gusts as high as 50 mph, is predicted. That storm is expected to roar through the region about 8 p.m. Sunday and exit the area by around 4 p.m. Monday. O&R will augment normal crewing to meet the demands of that event Sunday night.

O&R company and contractor overhead line crews and tree removal experts, customer service operators and the other O&R emergency response personnel will be activated and deployed at 7 a.m. Monday.

For safety’s sake, O&R warns the public not to touch or approach any downed wire. Assume the wire is energized and dangerous. Call O&R immediately toll-free 1-877-434-4100. Depending on the situation, you may also consider calling your local police to divert traffic from the downed wire’s location until an O&R crew arrives.