Downed Hingham Tree Knocks Out Power In Hull

HINGHAM, MA — Crews worked through rain and wind throughout the overnight into the morning in Hingham after a large tree crashed into a transmission line and knocked out power in Hull early Tuesday morning. Hingham Fire & Rescue said the tree crashed down on Hobart Street, closed French Street and Cross Street, and took out the two main transmission lines to Hull.

Hull Emergency Management said NGRID arrived on scene around midnight and work began to restore power as quickly as possible for homes that may have had significant amounts of frozen food amid the coronavirus pandemic and the statewide stay-at-home order to go into effect at noon on Tuesday.

But there were delays and additional equipment had to be brought in to remove the tree and rebuild the lines. The tree was moved about 10 a.m. with power restoration beginning prior to noon in Hull.

Hingham Deputy Fire Chief William Powers told Patch that the downed tree was reported amid the storm about 8:45 Monday night. He said power had to be cut to one house on Hobart Street with a smell of smoke near the home, but that there were no known additional outages in Hingham.

The ordeal took more than 12 hours with delays pushing back the restoration and upsetting Hull residents nervous about losing thawing food.

"I'm sorry this update certainly isn't what we need at this particular juncture," Fire Chief Christopher Russo posted on the Hull Emergency Management page overnight. "We are doing our collective best. ... We will all need to add another layer of patience onto our very full plates."

Hull Emergency Management said NGRID tree crews arrived before midnight with equipment capable of getting the tree moved and not cause further damage, which would prolong power outages. The forecast around midnight was for three to four hours of tree-removal time at a minimum, three to four hours after that to secure poles and run lines, and one to two hours around daylight to inspect the lines and bring back power to Hull.

But there were complications when it was determined that the large tree had wrapped around the tree and required a crane to be brought in for removal in the morning.

"I know you're worried," Chief Russo said, "mad even, about your food and it's frustrating, but please leave freezers close, and if you can pack a cooler with ice and preserve items refrigerated we should do this this morning."

Frustration about the outage built up overnight, prompting a response from Chief Russo abut 8:30 a.m.

"This is our dilemma," Russo said, "power is out, yes it sucks, yes we are going to have some food spoilage, yes we need to find long term fix for this issue, we can all do better. Our other very real problem is we are attacking each other and saying things to each other that are mean in that will not help the power come back on! We must be better than this, offer help to your neighbor, be kind.

"When the power is back on later today, and we look back at the stream of comments that are hurtful, take time to look at what you may have said and ask yourself: 'Was that really necessary?'" he asked.

Removal crews arrived on scene about 9 a.m. on Tuesday with progress reported in removal and power restoration. Russo pledged to give updates every hour as the progress of the tree removal and power restoration to Hull.

Some good news! The national grid crews have completed the bulk of the needed repairs. Power restoration before noon is likely. pic.twitter.com/FwIZGleITE
— Town of Hull Emergency Management (@HullEmerMgmt) March 24, 2020

Check back with Patch for updates.