LIPA Prepares for Hurricane Earl

(September 2, 2010-4:30pm-Uniondale, NY) - As Hurricane Earl continues to approach our region, a tropical storm warning has been issued for Suffolk County and a tropical storm watch has been issued for Nassau County. The Long Island Power Authority (LIPA), along with National Grid continues to prepare for Hurricane Earl. LIPA and National Grid initiated its storm anticipation procedures Sunday night.

LIPA continues to urge customers to make appropriate preparations. Storm safety and preparedness tips are available on our website: http://www.lipower.org/stormcenter/safety.html.

“We continue to closely monitor the path of Hurricane Earl,” said LIPA President and CEO Kevin S. Law. “LIPA and National Grid continue to coordinate with state and local agencies to update strategic plans and have secured additional crews to assist with restoration efforts.”

LIPA has established staging areas for restoration efforts, and will supplement our own crews with additional repair crews from outside the LIPA service territory. To date, LIPA and National Grid have over 2,200 workers ready to assist in restoration efforts.

Storm Preparations Plans:
How LIPA and National Grid are preparing for Hurricane Earl:

Closely monitoring the storm's progress on an around-the-clock basis
Preparing all restoration equipment and inventories and pre-stocking the east end with wires, transformers, and additional restoration equipment
Coordinating efforts with state, New York City, county and local emergency management organizations will be ongoing
Electric system and gas system personnel are available on extended 16 hour shifts
Additional Call Center personnel added and schedules arranged for extended coverage
Logistics are being confirmed for housing electric restoration crews from outside the area at lodging sites on Long Island
Proactive outreach efforts continue to be made for critical care and special needs customers and facilities
Outreach continues to customers via, phone calls, media alerts, email blasts, and public service announcements via local radio stations

Steps Customers Can Take
As the storm approaches, customers should take the following steps to prepare for the arrival of either a hurricane or tropical storm.

Never touch or go near fallen wires, even if you think they are safe. Parents can use this opportunity to remind children that wires are dangerous. If you are in a vehicle that comes in contact with a downed wire, stay in your vehicle until help arrives.
Make sure you have a working, battery powered radio or TV and a good supply of fresh replacement batteries. Have flashlights available for all family members.
If an electric pump supplies your water, fill spare food-grade containers with water for cooking and washing in anticipation of a possible power interruption.
Make sure all motor driven equipment, such as garage door openers, can be operated manually.
When using a portable generator, make sure all LIPA-powered equipment is disconnected. This will avoid severe hazards when reconnecting the power to your home or business.
Have a first aid kit at home and check its contents to make sure they are complete and up to date. If you have family members with special medical needs, such as insulin or other prescription drugs, check to make sure you have an adequate supply.
Do not use charcoal to cook indoors: deadly carbon monoxide gas can accumulate in your home.
If you have an elderly neighbor, be a Good Samaritan and check on his or her status. Even a quick telephone call during a storm can provide much appreciated assurance that help is nearby if needed.
Should an electric power interruption occur, all sensitive equipment, such as computers and TV's should be disconnected until service is restored.

LIPA would also like to remind our customers to be alert. If you see repair crews working on downed power lines, please drive carefully. Expect delays and exercise caution when driving near any of the repair crews working to restore your power.

For more detailed information regarding Hurricane Earl and the steps customers should take to prepare for the possibility that the storm could hit Long Island, LIPA’s electric service customers should go to http://www.lipower.org/stormcenter/safety.html.

LIPA, a non-profit municipal electric provider, owns the retail electric Transmission and Distribution System on Long Island and provides electric service to more than 1.1 million customers in Nassau and Suffolk counties and the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens. LIPA is the 2nd largest municipal electric utility in the nation in terms of electric revenues, 3rd largest in terms of customers served and the 7th largest in terms of electricity delivered. In 2010, LIPA outperformed all other overhead electric utilities in New York State for frequency of service interruptions, and ranked second for duration of service interruptions. LIPA does not provide natural gas service or own any on-island generating assets. More information about LIPA can be found online at: http://www.lipower.org.

Media Contact Information
Mark Gross
Phone - (516) 719-9892
Media Pager - (516) 229-7248
media.relations@lipower.org

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