Jul 8, 2026
Central Hudson Nears Completion of Storm Restoration Efforts

POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – July 8, 2026, [ 10 a.m.] – Central Hudson Gas & Electric crews will remain in the community on Wednesday morning to complete final repairs and restore service to any remaining customers impacted by the severe thunderstorms that moved through the Hudson Valley Saturday evening. As of 10 a.m. Wednesday morning, approximately 57,000 customers have been restored and 700 customers are without power.  

Following a week of extreme heat and humidity, a line of very damaging thunderstorms moved through the service area on the evening of Saturday, July 4, producing wind gusts in excess of 60 mph, heavy rainfall and lightning. The storm system left more than 57,000 customers without power and caused extensive damage, including nearly 1,300 downed power lines and more than 100 broken poles. Dutchess and Ulster counties experienced the most significant impacts.  

Central Hudson continues to update its Outage Map as restoration information becomes available. Customers can visit outagemap.cenhud.com to get the latest information.  

In response to this storm, Central Hudson activated its full emergency response organization, deploying more than 1,200 employees – each serving a designated storm response role – and securing support from more than 360 contract personnel and 130 additional mutual assistance crew resources, all working to assess damage, clear hazards, and restore service as quickly as possible. Crews restored power to roughly 50 percent of impacted customers by the morning of July 6; more than 80 percent by the morning of July 7; and approximately 99 percent of customers by the morning of July 8. 

“This storm caused significant damage across our service territory and required a large-scale restoration effort,” said Eric Kiszkiel, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Operations. “Thanks to the extraordinary efforts of our employees, contractors and mutual aid partners, crews were able to work around the clock to assess damage, clear hazards and safely restore service to more than 57,000 affected customers. We are grateful to our customers for their patience and understanding throughout the restoration process and to the communities that supported our crews in the field.” 

Central Hudson will be distributing dry ice and bottled water from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at the Shoprite in Lagrangeville, located at 1643 Route 82. 

Since the outset of the event, Central Hudson has distributed more than 46,400 pounds of dry ice and 43 pallets of bottled water to customers impacted by extended outages.  

Central Hudson’s storm restoration efforts extended beyond 72 hours for approximately 800 customers. Customers who experienced outages lasting more than 72 consecutive hours – from 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, through 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7 – may be eligible for financial reimbursement for food and medication spoilage. Central Hudson will conduct direct outreach to customers believed to qualify for reimbursement. Customers must provide an itemized list of lost items, itemized receipts, or photographs of replacement goods. This proof of loss must be received by Central Hudson on or before end of day on Tuesday, July 21. Additional information is available at www.centralhudson.com/storms.  

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. 

 

# # #