Orange & Rockland Utilities (O&R) has activated its emergency response workforce as severe thunderstorms, high winds, lightning, and dangerous heat are expected to impact the region beginning Thursday afternoon.

The utility company announced that overhead line crews, tree removal specialists, customer service operators, and other emergency personnel are on standby to respond to outages and storm-related damage. O&R has also secured 50 mutual aid workers to assist with restoration efforts if needed.

In addition to the threat of severe weather, temperatures and humidity are expected to remain elevated through Friday, increasing demand on the electric grid as residents rely heavily on air conditioning. O&R warned that extreme heat can strain electrical equipment and, in some cases, lead to scattered power outages.

The company is urging residents to stay away from downed power lines, assume all wires are energized, and immediately report any outages or hazardous conditions. Customers can report outages through O&R’s website, mobile app, by texting “OUT” to 678797, or by calling 1-877-434-4100.

O&R also reminded customers that utility service disconnections are suspended when the local heat index is forecast to reach 90 degrees or higher, providing additional protections during periods of extreme heat.

Once conditions are safe, restoration efforts will prioritize downed wires blocking roadways, critical facilities such as hospitals and emergency services, and repairs that restore power to the largest number of customers first.