More than 1,400 utility customers across the greater Cortland area remained without power Wednesday morning following a front that saw winds gusting past 60 mph.
And the winds will continue; the National Weather Service at Binghamton has issued a wind advisory through 7 p.m. predicting sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph, gusting to 45 mph.
"The strongest winds will be in the afternoon, favoring higher elevation areas," the forecasters report. "Saturated soil may also make it easier for tree damage to occur."
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Check for closings and delays
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National Grid and New York Electric & Gas Corp. reported more than 20 separate power outages, ranging from single customers in Freetown and Dryden to more than 400 in South Cortland, 380 in Dryden, 105 in Homer and Scott and nearly 270 in Groton and Lansing.
But the storm could have been harder: More than 2,300 customers were without power about 8:15 p.m. Thursday around the shores of Skaneateles Lake in Cayuga County. NYSEG reported that more than 10,000 were powerless at some point Tuesday night.
Gov. Kathy Hochul's office, in announcing preparations for the storm, offered these tips if power goes out:
• Turn off or disconnect major appliances and computers to avoid damage from a power surge.
• Call your utility provider and listen to local broadcasts for official information.
• Check to see if neighbors and those with access or functional needs have power.
• Use only flashlights for emergency lighting -- candles pose the risk of fire.
• Keep refrigerators and freezer doors closed -- most food requiring refrigeration can be kept safely in a closed refrigerator for several hours. An unopened refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours. A full freezer will maintain temperature for about 48 hours.
• Do not use a charcoal grill indoors and do not use a gas stove for heat.
• Dress in layers.
• Close off rooms you do not need.
TO REPORT AN OUTAGE:
Call:
• National Grid: 800-867-5222
• NYSEG: 800-572-1131
