POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – July 5, 2026, [8 p.m.] – Central Hudson Gas & Electric crews continue around-the-clock restoration efforts following the severe thunderstorms that moved through the Mid-Hudson Valley on Saturday evening.
As of 7 p.m. on Sunday, electric service had been restored to approximately 17,000 customers, representing 32 percent of customers affected by the storm. Approximately 37,000 customers remain without electric service as crews continue to address extensive storm damage across the company’s service territory.
Damage assessment and restoration efforts remain Central Hudson’s primary focus. Restoration crews are actively clearing hazards, repairing damaged equipment and restoring power to customers across the region, while maintaining a strong focus on safety.
Central Hudson has mobilized line crews, damage assessors, line clearance professionals and support personnel from across its service territory. In addition, mutual aid resources from neighboring utilities and contractor organizations have arrived and continue to support restoration efforts across the most heavily impacted areas.
Based on current damage assessments, Central Hudson has established an estimated time of restoration of 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 7, for the majority of customers impacted by the storm. Restoration efforts are expected to continue beyond that time in some of the most heavily damaged locations.
County Estimated Restoration Times
- Albany County: July 5 at 10 p.m.
- Columbia County: July 6 at 10 p.m.
- Dutchess County: July 7 at 10 p.m.
- Greene County: July 5 at 10 p.m.
- Orange County: July 6 at 4 p.m.
- Putnam County: July 6 at 12 p.m.
- Sullivan County: July 6 at 10 p.m.
- Ulster County: July 7 at 4 p.m.
“While we have made meaningful progress restoring customers since the storm struck Saturday evening, significant work remains in some of our hardest-hit communities,” said Eric Kiszkiel, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Operations. “Our crews, contractors and mutual aid partners are working around the clock to clear hazards, repair damaged infrastructure and restore service safely and efficiently. We appreciate our customers’ continued patience as this large-scale restoration effort progresses.”
Dry Ice and Bottled Water Distribution
To assist customers who are experiencing extended outages, Central Hudson continues to distribute dry ice and bottled water at Lowe’s in Highland, NY (650 Route 299). Distribution will continue while quantities last and weather conditions permit.
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;
- On the Web: Visit CentralHudson.com/Storms to report outages and obtain restoration updates;
- Via smart phones: Updated free Central Hudson mobile applications are available for Android and Apple devices by logging onto www.cenhud.com/mobileapp;
- Through social media: “Like” Central Hudson on Facebook (Facebook.com/CentralHudson) and “Follow” on X (formerly known as Twitter) (Twitter.com/CentralHudson); and
- 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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Media Contact
Réal Hamilton-Romeo
914 675 1386