Hassan, Emergency Management Officials Coordinating Winter Storm Response Efforts

In order to ensure the safety and health of New Hampshire citizens, Gov. Maggie Hassan and public safety and emergency management officials have opened the Emergency Operations Center and are working closely with the utilities and local communities on response efforts to yesterday’s storm. Full restoration is expected to be a multi-day event and state public safety and emergency management officials are working with local entities and the Red Cross to open shelters.

With more than 200,000 without power at a point early this morning, this was the fourth-largest power outage in state history according to the Public Utilities Commission. Utilities companies are bringing in additional resources to help assist with restoration efforts.

“This was a major event that affected households and communities across the state as families came together for the Thanksgiving holiday,” Hassan said. “The Emergency Operations Center is open, and we will continue to work closely with public safety and emergency officials, the utilities and local communities to restore power as quickly as possible. As these efforts continue, the State is coordinating with the Red Cross and other local entities to ensure that families have the shelter and other resources that they need to stay warm over the holiday. Given the extensive damage from the storm, utilities are predicting full restoration will take several days. I urge residents and families to make plans, take the necessary precautions and check on their neighbors to ensure that everyone stays warm over the coming days. ”

For more information about shelters, including the closest pet-friendly shelter, residents can contact 2-1-1 NH toll-free by dialing 2-1-1 in state or 1-866-444-4211 from out of state.

Public safety and emergency management officials also encourage the following precautions:

• Use extreme caution when using candles.
• Watch for falling branches, snow and ice.
• If you encounter a downed wire, stay away from the line and notify the electric utility or call 911.
• If a power line falls on your car, you should stay inside the vehicle until first responders arrive to assist.
• If you are using a generator, connect equipment directly to the outlets on the generator. Do not connect a generator to a home’s electrical system.

To use emergency generators and alternate heat sources safely:

• Run generators outside and away from windows, doors and vents. Misplaced generators (such as placed in or near the door of a garage or window) are a major cause of Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that can silently kill. The warning signs of CO poisoning are flu symptoms like headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion, but without a fever.
• Remember to keep outside vents for heaters and stoves clear of snow, as clogged vents may also pose carbon monoxide dangers.
• Do not use your gas stove as an alternate source of heat.
• If you or anyone in the home thinks you are being poisoned by carbon monoxide:
• Leave the house at once.
• Call the fire department or 911.
• Get medical attention and call the Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) or your doctor after you leave the house.
• Check on neighbors, family and friends.

Patch storm coverage

• State Police Injured on I-89
• Nearly 200,000 Without Power in NH
• Unitil: If You Don’t Have Power, Make Other Plans
• Winter Storm Parking Ban Issued for Concord
• How Much Snow is NH Going to Get Again?
• State Police Focused on Impairment, Speeding, Distracted Drivers

Is the power out where you live? How is Thanksgiving going? What are your alternative plans? Leave a note in the comment section and let us know what you’re doing today.