Nor'easters and power outages on the East End

When the power goes out on the East End, PSEG Long Island restores it in a fixed order, and a house at the end of a road with a few customers waits behind the lines that feed thousands. Knowing that order, and reporting the outage the right way, is most of the preparation. The utility’s number for outages and downed wires is 1-800-490-0075, 24 hours a day; the electric service guide lists the other ways. Before the next storm, sign up for the county and town alerts.

The four-step restoration order

PSEG Long Island’s published process runs in this sequence:

1. Repair high-voltage transmission lines and substations, because they supply the neighborhoods.
2. Restore critical public services: hospitals and nursing homes, police and fire facilities, jails, water pumping stations, communications, facilities with lifesaving equipment and evacuation centers.
3. Fix the repairs that restore power to the greatest number of customers first. The company says it will make repairs that restore 1,000 customers before a repair that returns power to 100.
4. Focus on individual homes and businesses until everyone is back.

After a storm with major damage, the company says it adds crews from other utilities and contractors.

How to read an estimated restoration time

After you report an outage, PSEG’s system generates an estimated time of restoration from historical data. The company says estimates usually range from two to eight hours and are updated as crews assess and repair damage. In a large storm you may see “Assessing Conditions” first, and you receive an estimate once most of the storm has passed and the extent of damage is known. If detailed estimates are not yet possible, the company may issue a global estimate, which is the time it expects to restore 90 percent of customers affected.

If someone depends on powered medical equipment

PSEG Long Island runs a Critical Care Program for customers who depend on electric-powered life-support equipment. To join, you provide a medical certificate from a doctor, local Board of Health, nurse practitioner or physician assistant, and call 1-800-490-0025. The company states that participation does not guarantee priority restoration and that planning for your medical needs is your responsibility. Enroll before the storm season.

The season

The Atlantic hurricane season runs June 1 to November 30, per the National Hurricane Center, and the December almanac covers the wettest month of the year. Whatever the season, a short checklist is enough: report the outage online, by text or phone; keep a charged phone and a flashlight; know where the water shutoff and the main breaker are; and know how your heat works without power. If it is oil, the burner needs electricity. The first winter checklist covers the rest.