Hundreds of Eversource line, tree and service crews are working to clear damage, repair the electric system and restore power to customers as the winter storm currently hitting New Hampshire is bringing trees and tree limbs down and causing power outages statewide. Combined with the snow already on trees from recent storms, the additional heavy, wet snow and strong winds in the forecast today is likely to cause further damage to the electric system and additional outages.
Additional crews and resources – including from Eversource’s Connecticut and Massachusetts operations – will be arriving to support the restoration effort today as the energy company’s employees work around the clock to restore the approximately 33,300 customers without power as of 11:30 a.m. and any additional customers who may lose power as quickly as safely possible. By making repairs and using distribution automation technology like smart switches, the energy company’s lineworkers and remote system operators have restored power to more than 50,000 customers since the storm began last night.
“On top of the snow buildup and weakened trees from other recent storms, the winter storm hitting New England is bringing trees and limbs down onto the electric system and causing significant damage in nearly every region of the state,” said Eversource President of Electric Operations in New Hampshire Doug Foley. “With more heavy, wet snow in the forecast and breezy conditions picking up through the day, further damage and outages are likely, and we thank our customers for their patience as driving conditions remain challenging for our crews. We’re bringing in additional resources and crews – including from Massachusetts and Connecticut – to support our restoration effort, and our dedicated employees will not stop working until every customer who loses power is restored.”
Eversource continues to remind customers to always stay clear of downed wires and report them immediately to 9-1-1. Additionally, customers who are without power and using a generator are reminded to be sure the generator is located well away from their home or business and that the transfer switch is working properly.
