Submitted by Mitch Gross, Eversource
BERLIN, Conn. (Dec. 15, 2020) – As a major snowstorm makes its way to New England, Eversource is keeping a close eye on the track of the storm and is ready for the heavy snow and strong winds that are expected to impact Connecticut Wednesday evening and Thursday. While continuing to operate under its COVID-19 pandemic plan and adhering to its strict social distancing and safety measures, the energy company will have line and tree crews pre-positioned around the state to respond to any damage or outages caused by this storm. Eversource is also bringing in out-of-state crews to assist with restoring power if needed and has added customer care representatives to the company’s call centers to assist customers during the storm.
“We began monitoring this storm over the weekend and continue to closely watch its path and are adjusting our plan as needed,” said Eversource President of Regional Electric Operations Craig Hallstrom. “The amount of snow expected may make travel conditions challenging for our crews, so we’re staging extra staff and equipment in our work centers across the state to ensure we’re ready to repair any damage we may see from this storm. We also remind customers that restorations may take longer as we ensure the safety of our employees and customers while working under the challenging conditions related to the pandemic.”
Eversource urges customers to always stay clear of downed wires and to report them immediately to 9-1-1. Be sure to report any outage online at www.eversource.com, or by calling 800-286-2000. Customers who signed up for the company’s two-way texting feature can send a text to report an outage and receive outage updates as they happen.
Eversource natural gas customers should be aware that some natural gas heating systems may be affected by a power outage. It’s also important to keep gas meters and outdoor vents clear of snow and ice buildup. Customers should carefully remove snow and ice with a broom or by hand and do not use a shovel or kick the gas meter which can damage the meter. Customers should also immediately leave their home or business if they smell gas and call 911.
The company also offers tips on its website to help customers prepare for emergencies:
https://www.eversource.com/content/ct-c/residential/outages/storm-preparedness
