National Grid Crews Work Continues as Widespread Power Outages Result from Thursday’s Severe Thunderstorms and High Winds Across Upstate New York

June 19, 2026 - 5:00 p.m. 

As of 3 p.m. on Friday, National Grid’s field force has restored service to more than 113,812 of 118,508 customers affected by the destructive thunderstorms and powerful winds that swept across the state on Thursday. Restoration continues as crews will work around the clock until all customers have had their service restored. 

About 44,979 Upstate New York customers were without power at the event’s peak, with the most significant impacts occurring in Otsego, Warren, Saratoga, Rensselaer, Schoharie, Warren, Washington and Albany counties. The severe weather brought down trees, tree limbs, and wires, causing damage to poles, transformers, and other critical electricity infrastructure. At its peak, the storm impacted 28,680 of the company’s Eastern New York Customers. Meanwhile, 14,574 Central New York customers were without service, and 9,270 Western New York customers were impacted. 

On Thursday, National Grid mobilized a significant field force to respond to the outages, including 2,044 line, tree, public safety and damage assessment specialists to support restoration efforts across the state. These resources are in addition to the company’s local crews already working in impacted communities.

Our crews are fully engaged and safely working as quickly as possible to restore power following this damaging storm,

said National Grid Vice President of Electric Operations for New York, Kyle Bentley. 

With additional resources arriving from across the state to assist in Eastern New York, we are focused on repairing damage, clearing debris, and restoring service to every customer.

Damage assessment continues in parallel to our restoration work, and estimated restoration times (ETRs) will be established and communicated to customers as crews determine the extent of damage in the hardest-hit areas. ETRs listed on our website may be listed as “assessing conditions” as crews work to safely access and evaluate impacted infrastructure. 

National Grid is coordinating closely with state and local officials, emergency management agencies and first responders to support restoration efforts and ensure public safety.

Estimated Restoration Times

Restoration times will vary depending on the severity of damage in each community. Customers can find the most up-to-date information on estimated restoration times by visiting National Grid’s Outage Central.

Customers who remain without power while neighboring properties have been restored are encouraged to report their outage by calling 1-800-867-5222 or visiting the website above.

The Restoration Process

The company follows a prioritization process to restore power safely and efficiently. Crews first address public safety hazards such as downed live wires, then focus on repairs to transmission lines and substations that serve the largest number of customers, followed by neighborhood circuits, transformers and individual service lines.

Safety Reminders

• Always stay clear of downed wires and assume they are live and dangerous. Report them immediately to National Grid or call 911.
• Use generators outdoors only and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide buildup. Before operating a generator, be sure to disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker, located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could endanger our crews and your neighbors.
• Exercise caution around debris and damaged trees, which may conceal energized lines. 
• Check on neighbors, particularly the elderly or those with medical needs.
• Driving carefully and slowly near emergency responders and crews restoring power in the field.

Stay Informed and Connected

Customers can stay informed and report outages in the following ways:

• Visit Outage Central for real-time updates
• Text “OUT” to 64743 to report an outage
• Text “REG” to 64743 to sign up for alerts
• Follow National Grid on Facebook and X for updates
• Use the National Grid app, free to download from the Apple App Store or Google Play.