Necessary upgrades to the National Grid system will leave more than 7,000 customers without power in the greater Rochester area Saturday.
The company will replace two aging structures supporting a transmission line on Jan. 6, National Grid said in a news release last week. The planned power outage will occur from approximately 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m
“We understand the inconvenience of an outage of this length at this time of year,” said National Grid regional director Ken Kujawa. “The need to address these structures is urgent and has been highlighted in recent weeks during work relating to major electrical system upgrades our crews are undertaking in the area.”
Where and how many will the National Grid power outage affect?
The planned power outage is expected to affect approximately 7,300 customers in Livingston, Ontario and Monroe counties, including these specific areas:
- Avon, Caledonia, Lima and Livonia
- Bloomfield and West Bloomfield
- Henrietta, Honeoye Falls, Mendon and Rush
Where to stay warm during a National Grid power outage
Warming centers will be available at nine locations throughout the affected area. The list and times that facilities are scheduled to be open and available are subject to change due to schedules and staffing, the company said.
In Livingston County, affected residents can go to these locations to keep warm:
- East Avon Fire Department: 1615 West Henrietta Road in Avon, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
- Avon Fire Department: 74 Genesee St. in Avon, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
- Lima ambulance base: 7024 W. Main St. in Lima, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
- JW Jones Hall: 366 Leicester Road in Caldonia, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
Affected residents in Monroe County can visit here:
- Mendon fire department common room: 101 Mendon-Iona Road in Mendon, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m
- Rush Fire Department building: 1971 Rush-Mendon Road in Rush, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
- Honeoye Falls Ambulance Base: 210 East St. in Honeoye Falls, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
And Ontario County residents affected by the outage can visit these locations:
- Ionia Fire Department: 8338 County Rd. 14 in Ionia, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
- West Bloomfield Congregational Church: 9035 Route 5 & 20 in West Bloomfield, 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m
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Electricity and generator safety tips
National Grid offered some tips to keep its customers safe ahead of Saturday's outage.
- Generators are used to provide power during an outage must be operated outdoors to prevent the formation of deadly carbon monoxide.
- Before you start up a generator, Make sure you disconnect from the National Grid system by turning off the main switch located in the control cabinet. Failure to do so could put National Grid crew and your neighbors at risk.
- Customers who rely on powered life support equipment, such as a ventilator, should do so Contact National Grid at 1-800-642-4272 Information on how to request designation as a life support client.
- Continue to work with flashlights and a additional battery supply in your home and make sure you do it Charge all electronic devices.
- Exercise caution when driving near utility personnel.
- Be sure too Check on older family members, neighbors and others who may need help during an outage.
Emily Barnes is a New York State team consumer reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Contact Barnes at [email protected] or on Twitter @byemilybarnes.