Jul 4, 2026
Central Hudson Crews Respond to Widespread Outages Caused by Severe July 4 Storm

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – July 4, 2026, [10:00 p.m.] – Central Hudson Gas & Electric crews are responding to widespread power outages following a fast-moving line of severe thunderstorms that moved across the Mid-Hudson Valley on Saturday afternoon and evening. As of 9:30 p.m., approximately 47,000 customers were without electric service as strong winds, fallen trees and damaged utility equipment impacted communities across Central Hudson's service territory. 

Damage assessment and restoration efforts are underway across the region after strong winds brought down trees, large limbs and power lines, causing widespread service interruptions. The most heavily impacted areas at this time include Poughkeepsie, LaGrange, Pleasant Valley, and North Wappinger, where crews are encountering significant tree damage, downed wires and damage to electric infrastructure. 

Central Hudson has mobilized line crews, damage assessors, line clearance professionals, and support personnel across the service territory and is requesting mutual aid from neighboring utilities to support what is expected to be a significant restoration effort. 

With damage assessment continuing and additional severe weather possible overnight, restoration times will be communicated as crews gain access to affected areas and complete system assessments. 

“Today’s storms caused significant damage to our electric system, with thousands of customers experiencing outages due to fallen trees and hazardous conditions across the Mid-Hudson Valley,” said Eric Kiszkiel, Senior Vice President of Operations, Engineering and Safety. “Our line workers, field personnel, damage assessors and support teams have mobilized across the region and will continue working around the clock until every customer who can safely receive service is restored. We appreciate our customers’ patience as we navigate challenging conditions and complete what we expect will be a substantial restoration effort.” 

Complicating restoration activities, the National Weather Service is forecasting the potential for additional strong thunderstorms and damaging wind gusts overnight. Central Hudson continues to monitor weather conditions closely and will adjust restoration resources as necessary to respond to any new damage. 

Central Hudson prepares for storms by readying crews, stocking supplies and materials, communicating with community leaders and following an approved storm plan. The company also takes proactive steps before storms strike to minimize service interruptions, including enhanced vegetation management and danger tree removals, and regular maintenance and upgrades to power lines serving communities. 

Residents are advised to exercise an abundance of caution around downed power lines by staying at least 30 feet away and remember that downed lines can become entangled and hidden in fallen limbs. They should also remember to assume that any downed power lines are live. 

Customers are advised to keep safety in mind, particularly during power interruptions: 

  • Never use kitchen stoves or outdoor gas or charcoal grills indoors, as they pose a fire hazard and over time can give off carbon monoxide gas; 
  • Avoid opening a refrigerator unnecessarily during outages, so that food lasts longer; an unopened refrigerator can keep food fresh for up to 4 hours; 
  • Beware of fallen trees and limbs, and use caution when traveling; 
  • Avoid the use of candles for illumination due to fire hazards; 
  • Follow the manufacturer’s safety instructions on the use of emergency generators, and be sure to shut off the main breaker when in use and operate the units outdoors; 
  • Operate cars and motor vehicles outdoors only, and never inside the garage; and 
  • Avoid travel along roadways as hazardous conditions may cause driving accidents, including those involving utility poles which may cause power interruptions. 

Customers can stay informed of storm and restoration conditions in the following ways: 

  • By text messaging: Customers should enroll in Central Hudson’s Texting Program to use text messaging to report their power condition and to obtain repair status. To enroll, visit CentralHudson.com/Alerts or text REG to 236483; 
  • Via smart phones: Updated free Central Hudson mobile applications are available for Android and Apple devices by logging onto www.cenhud.com/mobileapp; 
  • By phone: Call the Central Hudson PowerLine at (845) 452-2700 or 1-800-527-2714, and please use the automated system to report or monitor your power condition. 
  • If a member of your household needs electricity to operate life sustaining equipment, please contact customer service at (845) 452-2700. 

 

More information on preparing for storms and emergencies and communicating with Central Hudson is available at www.CentralHudson.com; for information regarding electric and natural gas safety, visit http://www.CentralHudson.com/Safety. 

 

ABOUT CENTRAL HUDSON 

Central Hudson Gas & Electric Corporation, a subsidiary of Fortis Inc., is an energy delivery company headquartered in Poughkeepsie, New York. The utility serves approximately 315,000 electric and 90,000 natural gas customers in eight counties of New York State’s Mid-Hudson River Valley, delivering natural gas and electricity in a 2,600-square-mile service territory that extends north from the suburbs of metropolitan New York City to the Capital District around Albany. Central Hudson supports local community service and business organizations, and offers value-added products and services, including energy efficiency and economic development programs. For more information, visit www.CentralHudson.com. Join the conversation on Facebook, keep up with our adventures on Instagram, learn about our achievements on LinkedIn, and follow us on X. 

 

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