Nearly 200,000 Without Power in NH

The Granite State has been nailed by a winter storm that caused traffic problems and power outages across New Hampshire.

Nearly 200,000 were reportedly without power tonight due to wet, heavy snow hitting the state. According to weather watchers, about six to eight inches of snow has fallen so far around the state with larger amounts in the western and southern part of the state.

The snow knocked down trees, branches, and power lines, and caused transformers to explode in Concord. Power companies expected to have things wrapped up by late tonight or early this morning but those restoration times were quickly extended.

In a statement on Twitter, Unitil stated, “Due to the storm severity & widespread damage, we’re assessing damage & won’t know until the storm passes. Crews are working thru the night.”

PSNH also extended its restoration times, posting on Twitter: “Estimated times are being extended as crews work to restore power. We will continue to work through the night to get everyone back up ASAP.”

At post time, about 30,000 customers were without power in the capital region. Nearly 9,000 customers were out in Nashua. Half of Merrimack – about 5,900 customers – were also without power. Bedford is reporting nearly 5,000 without power. Amherst and Londonderry are reporting about 3,000 customers each without power. Milford is reporting nearly 2,500 without power. Windham has about 900 without power. Exeter has about 500 and Portsmouth has about 300 without power. Hampton is reporting about 40 customers without power.

New Hampshire State Police have also issued a request to drivers to stay off the roads after responding to hundreds of accidents and spinouts.

“Alarmingly, five separate State Police cruisers have been struck by passing motorists today alone,” according to a statement from Lt. Christopher Vetter. “In most of these incidents, the cruisers were parked at existing motor vehicle crashes when they were struck. At least one of the troopers was transported to a local hospital with reported minor injuries.”

If you have to be on the roads, troopers stated, use caution when passing emergency vehicles and drive with extreme care.