Storm Watch: O&R’s Ramping Up for Storm Repair, Power Restoration Nicole Approaches Region Friday Evening Into Saturday

Orange & Rockland is ramping up its company-wide emergency response group to repair possible storm damage and restore electric service outages as needed when Tropical Storm Nicole, packing strong winds and heavy rains, roars through the region Friday evening into early Saturday morning.

That means O&R company and contractor overhead line crews and tree removal experts, customer service operations and the other O&R teams that support the emergency response effort will be activated early Friday evening. Those teams will be joined by mutual aid overhead line and tree contractors that will increase O&R’s line workforce to more than three times its usual size.

Partly cloudy and dry conditions are expected through the day Thursday. Clouds will increase Thursday night well ahead of Nicole followed by rain showers developing Friday afternoon across the area.

Rain will become moderate to heavy at times 7 p.m. Friday – 7 a.m. Saturday as Nicole interacts with a cold front to our west. Approximately 0.75 – 2.5 inches of rain are likely across the area with isolated higher amounts possible. Isolated thunderstorms are also possible 7 p.m. Friday through 3 a.m. Saturday with a low chance for them to become severe during this timeframe. Widespread strong gusty winds are likely 8 p.m. Friday – 3 a.m. Saturday, especially closer to the coast. In addition, there remains a low chance (<10%) for sustained tropical storm force winds to occur along the immediate coast during this timeframe. The strongest winds will end after 3 a.m. Saturday.

Showers end by late morning Saturday and temperatures will fall into the 40’s as this system exits to our northeast. Much colder air moves in for the weekend with a chance of showers closer to New York City on Sunday as a disturbance passes off the coast. Partly cloudy conditions take hold for Monday and Tuesday as temperatures remain around 10 degrees below normal.

For safety’s sake, O&R warns the public not to touch or approach any downed wire. Assume it 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.