Less Than 75 Still Without Power in Malverne, West Hempstead and Lynbrook [Nov. 16, 9:30 a.m. Update]

The Long Island Power Authority, with t has restored electricity to thousands of residents and businesses in Malverne, West Hempstead, Lynbrook and Lakeview alone during the past two weeks.  Still, as of Friday, there were still nearly 75 LIPA customers across the four communities who were on their 18th day without power since Hurricane Sandy struck the East Coast.

As of 9:20 a.m. on Nov. 16, LIPA was reporting that there were still 10 customers in Lynbrook (down from 102 Wednesday), 54 in West Hempstead, (up from 7 Thursday) and less than 5 in both Malverne and Lakeview still affected by outages. Since last Thursday, LIPA has restored roughly 2,200 customers in Malverne, more than 1,000 in West Hempstead, 275 in Lakeview and 1,500 in Lynbrook, including the businesses on Atlantic Avenue that went 12 days without power.

In the initial aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, power outages impacted more than 3,300 LIPA customers in Malverne, 4,000 in Lynbrook, 3,000 in West Hempstead and 1,900 in Lakeview including local schools, businesses, gas stations and traffic signals at busy intersections. Most of these customers were without their power for a week or more.

Patch compiled a list of streets and traffic signals in Malverne, West Hempstead and Lynbrook that were still without power as of early this week, and it was submitted to elected village, state, town and county officials this week. (If you do still not have power, let us know by posting here.) 

In its Nov. 13 nightly update, LIPA said more than 1.1 million customers, 99 percent of those who lost power during Hurricane Sandy and the Nor'easter, had been restored. It stated:

"Some customers remain without power because of the two storms, and we will not rest until all customer issues are addressed. Outage numbers will continue to fluctuate as new outages not related to these storms occur. Our substantial workforce will continue to work 24/7 to restore power."

In Nassau County, up to 7,300 customers still without power are unable to safely receive power without customer repairs

LIPA also issued these tips to its customers:

• If you are still without power and need to find a shelter near you, text SHELTER and your zip code to #43362 (4FEMA), or call the American Red Cross at 877-733-2767. 
• Assume any downed wire is live. Stay away and report it to 1-800-490-0075.
• To report an outage to LIPA, call 1-800-490-0075 or text 'REG' to 695472 (myLIPA) and then 'OUT.' 
• All LIPA and National Grid employees involved in electric restoration carry identification badges, and almost all restoration work can be completed without entering your home.  For your own safety, please do not allow anyone into your home without first verifying identification.
•  If you are using a generator, be sure to only operate it outdoors. Do not connect a generator to your home’s wiring. This could send power into the electric system, jeopardizing the safety of crews working to restore power. 
• Stay clear of crews working in your neighborhood.  Power restoration work requires well-established safety procedures, including clearance zones around work sites.
• Stay out of flooded basements, even if the power is out.  Stay clear of the breaker box if it’s in a flooded basement.
• For more important emergency contacts, tips and links, click here.

Related: 

• Malverne Civic Helping Powerless Residents
• Skelos: We Have a 'Katrina Situation' on LI
• Pols: Feds Should Take Over LIPA
• LIPA Union: Workers Not Turned Away
• Day 12 Brings Power Back to Lynbrook Business District
• Lynbrook's Waverly Park School to Open with Donated Generator