Central Hudson crews continue to make progress in restoring electric service following the devastating ice storm that struck the region on Thursday and Friday. Fallen trees weighed down by ice caused widespread damage and power outages, and repairs include replacing more than 35 broken poles. More than 40,000 customers have had power restored, two-thirds of the 60,000 customers initially impacted. About 21,000 customers remain without power as of 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 13, in the following areas:

·        Albany County – 1,300

·        Columbia County – 800

·        Dutchess County – 12,300

·        Greene County – 2,100

·        Orange County – 650

·        Putnam County – 130

·        Ulster County – 4,300

Although many customers will have their power restored sooner, the latest estimated restoration times for those who remain out of service are as follows:

• Orange and Southern Ulster county (from New Paltz south): by midnight, Monday Dec. 15.
• Northern Ulster County (Ellenville and points north of New Paltz to the Greene County line) by Sunday evening, Dec. 14;
• Greene and Albany counties by mid-day, Monday, Dec. 15;
• Putnam and Southern Dutchess Counties (from the city of Poughkeepsie, south): the vast majority of customers will be restored by 8 p.m. this evening, with some single and scattered cases lingering until Monday, Dec. 15.
• Northern Dutchess and Columbia Counties (from Hyde Park, Pleasant Valley and LaGrange northward): by Monday, Dec. 15 at midnight.  However the severely damaged areas of northern and central Dutchess and southeastern Columbia counties could take longer, pending final damage assessment.

Some customers in outlying areas, distant from urban centers, may not have their power restored until Tuesday, Dec. 16.

Crews from nearby utilities are assisting Central Hudson as part of the regional Mutual Aid program. Ten crews from Jersey Central Power & Light and 7 crews from Con Edison arrived on Saturday afternoon to assist in the restoration effort.

Customers concerned about food spoiling in their refrigerators or freezers due to a lack of power, will be able to obtain quantities of dry ice from the utility at several locations on Sunday, Dec. 14.  The dry ice will be available on a first-come, first served basis while supplies last, at:

• In Ulster County: Central Hudson’s facility on the corner of Route 299 and Eltings Corners Rd. (opposite Lowe’s) beginning at approximately 10:00 a.m.;
• In Dutchess County at Red Hook High School, 103 West Market Street, beginning at approximately 11:00 a.m.
• In Albany County at Cornell Hook and Ladder Fire Department, 77 Gill Road, New Baltimore, starting at about 11:00 a.m.

The following shelters will be available to residents without power on the evening of Saturday, Dec. 13, 2008:

• Ulster County:
  •  SUNY New Paltz Health and Welfare Center
• Dutchess County:
  • Arlington Middle School
  • Red Hook High School
• Albany County:
  • Cornell Hook and Ladder Fire Department, 77 Gill Road

Customers who have not reported their power outage should do so by calling Central Hudson’s automated PowerLine at (845) 452-2700 or 1-800-527-2714. Customers are also reminded to stay away from downed power lines, which may be energized and dangerous. For more information on restoration efforts, shelter locations and dry ice distribution, go to www.CentralHudson.com.

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