Tens of thousands of NYSEG customers lost electric service as powerful winds whipped upstate New York.

The utility Sunday night issued a blunt warning: Customers should "plan for outages lasting several days."

NYSEG and its partner utility Rochester Gas and Electric reported more than 30,000 customers were without power as of 7:30 p.m. Sunday.

The number of homes and businesses without electricity was expected to continue rising as wind gusts of 70 mph were hitting the region.

The National Weather Service said a High Wind Warning for the Binghamton region was to remain in effect until 7 p.m. Monday.

In a statement, NYSEG and RG&E reported more than 2,500 workers were responding to the widespread power outages.

Parent company Avangrid said it had obtained resources from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Canada to assist in restoring electricity.

Avangrid said it will work to make downed equipment safe and to ensure access to critical facilities like fire, police and hospitals.

The statement said "restoration of service will occur when it is safe to do so."

NYSEG customers may report outages and downed power lines by calling 800.572.1131.

Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com

For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.

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