Due to severe flooding from Hurricane Sandy, homes and businesses throughout New York City have suffered electrical water damage. Electrical panels, wires, outlets and appliances have all been affected, and as a result, these homes and businesses are without power.

New York City’s Department of Buildings (DOB) has been working feverishly to inspect buildings ravaged by Hurricane Sandy. They’ve placed green, yellow or red placards on buildings to inform residents of their building’s condition.

Green: No restriction. No apparent structural hazards were observed; you are not restricted from entering and re-occupying your home.

Yellow: Restricted use. Property is damaged; entry limitations are specified on each posting.

Red: Buildings tagged with a red placard are not safe to enter. Property is seriously damaged and is unsafe to enter or occupy.

In the event your block doesn’t have obvious and apparent structural damage, one single green placard, may be posted in a prominent location. If your home is on a block and it doesn’t have a placard, then your home has not been inspected or inspections didn’t determine any apparent structural hazard. Call 311 for more information.

Also, as of November 13, homeowners can sign up for NYC Rapid Repairs. NYC Rapid Repairs is a new program that sends contractors and inspectors into neighborhoods impacted by Hurricane Sandy. They’ll be able to make quick and efficient repairs to damaged homes. Visit DisasterAssistance.gov or call 800-62103362, to get a FEMA ID number. Once you have your FEMA ID, visit NYC.gov or call 311.

Getting Power Back to Homes with Green or Yellow Cards

If any electrical wiring, receptacles or equipment were submerged in water during the storm, you are required to hire an NYC-licensed electrician to inspect equipment prior to use. In most cases, any electrical components that have come into contact with salt water must be removed and replaced due to the fact that dried salt conducts electricity. Licensed electricians can disconnect affected wiring to allow unaffected areas to be used in service again. Licensed electricians should file completed, signed and sealed Self-Certification Forms directly with LIPA. 

With special thanks to New York City, below are the key steps licensed electrical contractors should take:

• Have your electrical equipment inspected and, if necessary, cleaned and repaired by a licensed electrical contractor. The Self-Certification Form comes from contractor. They will have the form to submit to LIPA.

• Have your licensed electrical contractor submit the Self-Certification Form to LIPA by faxing it to 631-844-3643, emailing to servicecert@service.lipower.org or delivering it to their temporary service center at Beach 108th Street and Beach Channel Drive in Rockaway Park.

• Once certification is submitted, LIPA will issue a service turn-on for your location; electric service will be restored when the LIPA system is able to do so. LIPA does the service turn-on internally. No actionneeds to be taken by customers