Eversource 'Prepping' For Winter Storm Season

CONNECTICUT — With the Atlantic hurricane season officially ending Tuesday and the winter storm season imminent, officials at Eversource energy said the electric company is "preparing" and is "encouraging customers to do the same."

"The energy company works year-round maintaining and upgrading electric lines and equipment, so it can better withstand New England’s sometimes fierce and often unpredictable weather," officials said.

Eversource officials added that the utility invests "tens of millions of dollars" every year to "strengthen the delivery system."

The measures, officials said, include:

• Installing stronger poles
• Stringing thicker "tree wire"
• Adding smart switches and smart fuses to the system that help to automatically restore power in certain situations
• Installing optical ground wire that enhances communications between the electric system and the company’s operations facilities

"Typically, light, fluffy snow doesn’t cause significant problems for the electric system. It's the heavy, wet snow, freezing rain or ice that can weigh down tree limbs and branches bringing them down onto our electric lines, causing power outages," Eversource President of Regional Electric Operations Craig Hallstrom said. "We can’t prevent storms from happening, but we know our customers depend on us to restore power as quickly and safely as possible when the power does go out and we take that responsibility seriously. We monitor the weather forecast closely every day and are always prepared to respond to any damage or outages a storm may cause – whenever a storm hits - and we want our customers to be ready too."

Eversource is encouraging customers to assemble or replenish a well-stocked storm kit. Some essentials that should be included are:

• First aid supplies
• Basic tools
• Portable radio
• Flashlight and batteries
• Prescriptions
• Bottled water, one gallon per person for every day you could be without power
• List of emergency phone numbers
• Nonperishable foods, such as peanut butter and jelly, tuna and other canned goods
• Pet food and supplies

The energy company is also recommending fully charging cell phones and electronic devices before a storm hits so if the power does go out, customers can get outage information and updates from the company.