Online Outage ReportsHow Does LIPA Prepare?
Currently we restore electric service faster than any other utility in the state. The total annual power outage time for Long Island customers has been the lowest among New York State utilities using overhead power lines for 10 of the past 12 years.
For major storms headed in our direction, preparations start several days in advance. We put our employees, equipment vendors and neighboring utilities on alert to ensure that enough manpower and inventory is available to handle storm-related repairs and ensure your safety.
Tracking A Storm
Long before a major storm sweeps across Long Island, our
meteorologists are busy tracking its progress. To collect and
interpret the vast quantity of information needed to forecast
storm movement, we contract with the independent research firms
and the National Weather Service.
By using a sophisticated system of satellite photos and computer data, our weather forecasters are able to closely follow the progress of hurricanes and other major storms.
We have installed a Lightning Detection Network. This system allows our operators to scan lightning activity on the entire East Coast, or zoom in on Long Island.
Preventing Power Outages
Compared to other NYS overhead utilities, the LIPA Transmission
and Distribution system consistently scores high in critical
metrics related to service reliability.
Our goal is to further reduce the number and length of outages through an aggressive service improvement and maintenance plan.
- Line Clearance: Line Clearance – Keeping tree limbs away from electric wires is our most effective method of reducing outages. We trim trees along 2,000 miles of lines annually. We also encourage the planting of shorter, “wire-friendly” trees near power lines. Read about our Forestry Program.
- Equipment Improvements: We’re upgrading lightning arresters, redoing wire splices on our poles using new equipment, and installing guards to prevent animals from contacting high-voltage connections.
- Radio-Controlled Switches: These remote controlled switches allow us to isolate electric line problems without dispatching a field crew, enabling our operators to restore service faster.
- Reconductoring Wire: We’re replacing old wire with new wire that has a resistant plastic covering for use in heavily wooded areas.
- Infrared Scanning: Through helicopter and vehicle surveys, we’re using infrared equipment to detect potential trouble spots before they can cause power outages. Approximately 6,000 miles of line are surveyed annually.
If Your Power is Out…Call 1-800-490-0075
LIPA's computer systems automatically detect neighborhood
service interruptions and begin the restoration process by
alerting system operators of the outage.
Customer Service and dependability is what LIPA is all about. That’s why we’ve installed our “21st Century” automated outage reporting system. In the event of a severe storm this system can handle over 100,000 calls per hour.
To minimize some of the inconvenience power outages cause, we’ve developed a computer program that allows LIPA to provide information on approximately how long it will take to restore power to your home. Outages can be reported quickly through our automated system, accessing the address of the outage by using your telephone number. Make sure the phone number on your account is correct for your address. It is essential for accurate reporting.
The LIPA Restoration Team
Our entire work force is put to work if a major storm hits. Our
work force is specially trained to respond to storm emergencies
and is prepared to work around the clock, seven days a week, to
restore your service.
Nearly all of our employees turn from their regular jobs to help restore electricity to our customers. We also bring in workers from neighboring utilities and contractors to supplement our crews and speed up the repair effort.
We can mobilize up to 300 employees to staff our telephones at a centralized Customer Assistance Center. These operators can handle thousands of calls an hour. During a severe storm, when there is a large amount of calls coming in at the same time, we now have automated service that can log your outage. Please be patient while trying to reach us. Listen to local radio stations for regular reports on our repair progress.
The highest repair priorities are given to vital public services such as hospitals, police and sewage pumping stations. Next, we schedule repair work to restore service to the largest possible number of people at one time. This means that a repair which will restore power to 1,000 customers takes priority over one that would restore electricity to 100 customers, or two or one. But we keep going day and night until everyone has power once again.
