By State Senator, Norm Needleman.
After Tropical Storm Isaias made landfall in Connecticut yesterday, roughly half of the state is experiencing power outages, including just under 600,000 Eversource customers. That represents 45 percent of the company’s customers statewide. Another 103,000 individuals, roughly 30 percent of United Illuminating’s clients, are without power as well.
As Isaias passed through Connecticut with the majority of its storm track moving to the left of the state, Connecticut was lashed by high winds Tuesday, in some areas reaching 70 miles per hour, that knocked down numerous trees and took down countless power lines.
Unfortunately, as of now, Eversource and United Illuminating expect recovering from the storms could take up to several days; with past storms showing similar damage, power companies took almost a week to fully restore power. Many towns are telling residents to prepare for days without power.
As of 12:30 p.m. today, Eversource reported the following number of customers in our area without power.
Dealing With Extended Power Outages
In the wake of Tropical Storm Isaias, extended power outages may run in much of the state for days. To protect yourself and your family during a power outage, the following advice may be helpful:
- A full refrigerator can keep food cold for about four hours if unopened; a full freezer can retain temperature for one day if half-full and two days if full if the door remains closed. After these periods of time, you should discard cooked vegetables, raw and cooked meat, pre-packaged greens, soups, stews and casseroles, milk and cream, and all eggs. Items that can be kept include butter, uncut fresh vegetables, herbs and spices, uncut fresh fruit, fruit juice and condiments including ketchup and mustard.
- When the power comes back on – or if it temporarily comes back on – that could spark an electrical surge that could damage appliances and electronics. Unplug items to prevent electrical surges, and additionally to make sure the electric grid has less strain when power is eventually restored.
- In the summer heat, if you have an alternate location to visit to stay cool, please do so, but be sure to continue social distancing and performing steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19 while doing so.
- Check on your neighbors; young children and older adults can be vulnerable to high temperatures.
- If the power is out for more than a day, throw away any food exposed to temperatures above 40 degrees for more than two hours, or food with unusual odors, colors or textures. Also, discard any medication requiring refrigeration unless specifically noted; if the drugs are lifesaving, consult a doctor or pharmacist to replace that medicine as soon as possible.
Safely Operating Your Generator
With power not expected to return for several days in some parts of the state, many people will likely use generators and similar devices to run important appliances like freezers and refrigerators. However, as generators are normally only needed a few times a year, it’s a good idea to review how to safely run one without causing any secondary issues. Generators are most likely to cause carbon monoxide poisoning; by following these tips, you can keep you and your family safe.
- Never leave the motor running in a vehicle parked in an enclosed or partially enclosed space, such as a garage.
- Never use any gas-powered engine in a home, basement or garage or that’s less than 20 feet from a window, door or vent.
- When using a generator, use a battery-powered carbon monoxide detector in your home.
- Never run any gas-powered engines inside enclosed structures, even if doors or windows are open, unless the equipment is professionally installed and vented.
- If conditions become too hot in the summer heat, attempt to seek shelter with friends or at a local shelter, though this may be difficult to achieve while retaining social distancing.
