Press Release

NEW YORK -- More than 22,000 customers in Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, Woodside, and Hunters Point have had their electrical power restored. Approximately 3,000 customers remain without electricity as of 5 a.m. today.

One thousand Con Edison employees and contractors are working in the Long Island City network to bring the lights back on to residents and businesses in these communities. As service is being restored, residents in northwest Queens will see 39 generators, and miles of wires on the street. Equipment that normally would be underground will be on the street. That equipment is insulated, safe, and will be protected.

The network of cables, transformers, and other equipment in the affected area has sustained major damage, and most of it must be rebuilt. Much of the work that was done this weekend was temporary to get power to as many homes and businesses as quickly and safely as possible. Once temporary repairs have been made to restore service, Con Edison will focus on making permanent repairs.

The company is asking customers in the affected communities to continue to conserve electricity even when their power is restored because of extensive damage to wires and cables.

Customers may obtain claim forms for reimbursements for spoiled food at Ditmars Boulevard and Steinway Street in Astoria. Outreach advocates will also be at the Long Island City YMCA located at 32-23 Queens Blvd. between 32nd and 33rd Streets in Long Island City.

Con Edison continues to ask customers to report individual outages to 1-800-75CONED.

Con Edison Media Relations
Contact: Michael Clendenin
Telephone: 1-212-460-4111