Monday Morning Power Outage Affects Many In Medford

MEDFORD, MA — A power outage impacted parts of West Medford Monday morning, knocking out traffic signals and forcing Medford High School to close for the day.

The Medford Police Department said at approximately 9 a.m. that it was aware of an outage affecting the West Medford area. Police warned that the outage could also impact traffic signals and streetlights and urged motorists to use extra caution at intersections where signals were not functioning.

Medford High School, located at 489 Winthrop St., was closed for the day as a result of the outage. Superintendent of Schools Suzanne Galusi said the outage began just before morning arrival was set to begin, with National Grid initially estimating that power would be restored sometime between 9 and 10 a.m.

"At the time of the outage, with the information we had, the building was too dark inside to safely care for and oversee students, and there was no power or internet to respond to potential student medical or other emergency situations," Galusi said in a statement.

Power and internet were later restored to the building, while all other schools in the district were able to operate their morning arrivals and begin the school day as usual. According to National Grid's Massachusetts outage map, the outage appeared to have been restored as of approximately 11 a.m. Monday. The map earlier showed outages across portions of West Medford, including areas near High Street, Boston Avenue, Mystic Valley Parkway, Playstead Road and Winthrop Street.

All Medford High School athletics will take place Monday as previously scheduled, while Kids Corner will remain closed for the day. Medford Family Network programming at the high school was also canceled, although outdoor play groups will still take place. The district's Registration Office reopened following the restoration of power.

Galusi said students and staff are expected to return to Medford High School on Tuesday. The district will also develop a plan to make up the lost school day, with additional information expected later in the school year.

Police asked residents not to call 911 to report a loss of power unless they were experiencing an emergency or relied on electricity for medical equipment and needed assistance.

The cause of the outage has not yet been revealed. Galusi said the district is continuing to review details surrounding the outage, including its potential cause, and expects to provide another update later this week.

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