UPDATE: Close To 350 Customers Without Power in Commack; County Opens Cooling Center in Brentwood

UPDATE: As of 9:30 p.m., power has been restored to all but approximately 50 customers in Commack and Kings Park. Those customers should have power between 1:30 a.m. and 4 a.m. Saturday, LIPA estimates.

Approximately 350 customers throughout Commack and sorrounding areas are without power Friday afternoon due to apparent heat-related outages.

According to the Long Island Power Authority Storm Center, 349 customers in Commack are experiencing an interruption in service.

Residents looking to find refuge from the extreme heat can visit the Caesar Trunzo Senior Center on Second Avenue in Brentwood, which opened as a cooling center Friday.

Area beaches such as have extended their hours and will remain open until 8:30 p.m.

The pools at Smithtown Landing will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

As of 6 p.m. the majority of outages are located between Veterans Highway and Sunken Meadow Parkway.

Approximately 25 customers are without power in Kings Park, most north of Main Street.

Most of the outages were caused from blown fuses or transformers. Crews are either being dispatched or are at the scene, according to Mark Gross with LIPA.

Most should expect to have power back by 8 p.m., according to estimates from the power authority.

High temperatures and high electric demand can sometimes cause scattered heat-related outages, according to the Long Island Power Authority.

In a statement, LIPA said that it has sufficient supply to meet energy demand during the heat wave. They encouraged customers to use electricity efficiently during the heat and high humidity.

Extra crews will be on duty this weekend to respond to heat-related outages.

To use energy efficiently during periods of high heat and humidity, customers should, according to LIPA do the following:

• Put air conditioners on timers, don't let them run when not at home;
• Set air conditioners at 78 degrees;
• Use fans to circulate cool air, which helps cut air conditioner use;
• Set refrigerators and freezers at most efficient temperatures; and
• Run major appliances such as clothes and dishwashers in the morning or late evening to avoid the peak demand hours of 2 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Customers who experience an outage should call 1-800- 490-0075 or can visit LIPA’s Storm Center website.

Additional reporting by Editor Taylor K. Vescey.