NEW YORK (WBNG) — Power outages and difficult road conditions are expected throughout the late afternoon as severe weather moves through the region.
NYSEG said it has brought on more than 400 additional crews to respond to the storm-related issues.
If people see fallen wires, the company urges them to stay away for safety reasons.
“If you see a downed wire, it doesn’t matter if it’s a communication cable or a high-voltage wire; if you see any wire that’s on the ground, it’s a hazardous situation,” said NYSEG Communication Manager Michael Baggerman. “Please stay at least 30 feet from any downed wire. If you get close to that thing, you run the risk of serious injury or even death.”
NYSEG trucks will be on the road all across the Southern Tier, ready to work on restoring power and fixing down lines where needed.
Baggerman said drivers should be cautious around utility crews.
“Please give them plenty of space to work,” Baggerman said. “They’re already dealing with a significantly dangerous situation. We don’t need to make matters worse by driving too close to them or speeding through a zone. Please give our workers plenty of room to work; their lives depend on it.”
Throughout the night, rain and later, possibly snow, could hit parts of the region, creating difficult road conditions.
New York State Police say drivers should be extra cautious, particularly around larger vehicles.
“Pay attention to other drivers that are next to you, especially bigger vehicles like tractor-trailers, buses, or even vans,” said New York State Police Trooper Aga Tinker. “If a strong gust of wind blows by, that could cause that vehicle to move into your lane.”
Use your headlights and windshield wipers, and if conditions become extremely dangerous, turn on your hazard lights.
NYSEG recommends residents sign up for outage alerts on its website and report any issues they encounter.
Copyright 2026 WBNG. All rights reserved.