If the power is out right now
Report by phone (24/7)
1-800-867-5222Automated reporting. Have your zip code or account number ready.
Live outage map
outagemap.ny.nationalgridus.comEstimated restoration time, affected customers, crew status.
Downed line or someone hurt?
Call 911 first, then National Grid. Never approach a downed wire. Assume it is live.
First 5 minutes: diagnose before you report
- 1.Check your circuit breaker. If a single circuit popped you can flip it back without calling National Grid. Look at the panel: tripped breakers sit between "on" and "off".
- 2.Check the neighbours. Streetlights on? Houses across the street lit? If only your home is dark, it is your panel or your service drop, not the grid. If the whole street is out, it is the grid.
- 3.Report. Call 1-800-867-5222 or use the outage map. Have ready: the time you noticed it, whether you heard a bang or saw a flash, and your street address.
Safety rules while you wait for restoration
Inside
- ·Turn off electric ovens and space heaters that were on at the time of the outage.
- ·Unplug sensitive electronics (computers, TVs) to avoid a surge when power returns.
- ·Use flashlights, not candles.
- ·Never heat the house with a gas oven or stovetop. Carbon monoxide risk.
Outside
- ·Stay clear of downed power lines. Treat every wire as live.
- ·Never run a generator indoors, in a basement, or in an attached garage.
- ·Keep generators at least 20 feet from doors and windows.
- ·Do not approach utility crews or block access roads.
Food in the fridge and freezer
- ·An unopened fridge holds safe temperature for about 4 hours;
- ·A full freezer holds for about 48 hours; a half-full freezer about 24 hours;
- ·If the outage looks like it will run past a day, fill a cooler with ice and move highest-value perishables.
Other reasons your power might be out
Missed payment
If you received a shut-off notice and ignored it, the meter may have been disconnected. Call Payment Assistance at 1-800-443-1837 (Mon-Fri 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Sat 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.) to set up a deferred payment plan and request reconnection.
New move-in, no power
If you just moved in and the meter is cold, the previous tenant likely closed the account. Call 1-800-642-4272 to start service. Plan up to 5 business days for a technician visit. A reconnection fee may apply.
Frequently asked questions
No. NYC electricity is Con Edison. National Grid is gas only downstate.
For an isolated home or street-level outage, usually 2 to 6 hours. After a major storm event, restoration can run 24 to 72 hours, with worst-hit zones cleared last. Check the live outage map for current estimates.
Yes. Activate outage alerts in your National Grid online account. SMS notifications include estimated restoration time and a confirmation when the meter reads live.
Fridge: 4 hours unopened. Freezer: 24 to 48 hours depending on how full it is. When in doubt, throw it out.
Stay at least 30 feet away, keep others back, call 911 first, then National Grid at 1-800-867-5222. Never touch, drive over, or photograph it up close.
More U.S. states with energy choice
Same playbook, different utility. Pick another deregulated state to compare utilities, suppliers and switching rules.
