Various Rochester area residents have initiated voicing their worry about this weekend planned National Grid power outage, with the potential for cold temperature and snow and winter storm moving through the area.

The organization will changing two old structures that help a transmission line on Jan 6 a necessary progress leaving more than 7000 consumers without power Saturday from 7 30 am to 4 30 pm.

“We know this is not the best time of year to be doing this. If we donot make repairs, there is a risk that area can experience what is called an unplanned outage. It could affect more people for a longer period of time. We do not want that. National Grid Dave Bertola expressed.

Temperature in January is expected to be in mid 30 with possible snow in forecast. This outage will effect farmers, businesses and elder persons. People are worried about their pets cats or birds to freeze to death.

According to Bertola, the need for upgrade is urgent. Bertola told ” If there was a storm maybe that number is more important because it is a transmission line ” Bertola expressed.

The planned blackout is projected to affect around 7300 consumers in Ontario, Monroe counties, Livingston consisting of these areas.

• Bloomfield and West Bloomfield
• Avon Lima, Livonia and Caledonia
• Henrietta, Mendo, Rush and Honeoye Falls

National Grid advice some tips before Saturday outage to make sure the consumers stay safe.

• Be sure to check on elderly family members, neighbors who may need support during an outage.
• Keep working flashlights and additional supply of batteries in your home and make sure to charge electronic devices.
• Generators used to supply power during outage must be operated outdoors to prevent the buildup of deadly carbon monoxide.
• Use caution when driving near utility crews.
• Consumers who depend on electrically powered life assistance equipment like respirator. Contact National Grid at 1-800-642-4272
• Be sure to disconnect from National Grid system by closing off the main breaker located in electric service panel. Failure to do so could endanger the National Grid crew and your neighbors.

Warming centers will be available at nine points throughout the impacted area. The list and times that facilities are to be open and available are subject to alter, the company told due to staffing and schedules.

Ontario County resident affected by the outage can visit these locations

• West Boomfield Congregational Church 9035 Routes 5 & 20 in West Bloomfield 7 30 am 4 30 pm
• Ionia Fire Department 8338 County Rd 14 in lonia 7 30 am 4 30 pm

Affected resident can stop by in Monroe County

• Honeoye Falls Ambulance Base: 210 East St. in Honeoye Falls, 7 30 am to 4 30 pm
• Mendo Fire Department Community Room 101 Mendon lona Road in Mendo 8 am 5pm
• Rush Fire Department Building 1971 Rush Mendon Road in Rush 7 30 am 4 30 pm

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Various ambulance bases and fire departments are warming centers Saturday, the Livingston County Office of Emergency Management shared on Facebook previous week that sheltering system is not manufacture to accommodate all citizens without electricity and animals pets are not permitted at the Livingston County locations.

According to the New York State Department of Public Service and AAA here are some method to stay heated in your home during a winter power blackout.

• wear layered clothing
• Use blankets or sleeping bags to stay heat
• Close off unused rooms to retain heat as soon as you loose blackout.
• Minimize your time outdoors
• Never heat your home using oven or stoves
• know mental and physical symbol of hypothermia to trat it.
• Let faucet to protect pipes from freezing bursting which can cause wate damage extensive.

Bertola told residencts can escalate heat in their home to around 75 degrees the night before and right up to when the power is planned to go out so your home can stay warmer throughout the day.