Unitil Corporation, (Unitil.com), a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England, is preparing for a series of winter storms expected to impact the region beginning this weekend and is advising customers to make similar preparations.
According to most recent forecasts, 6-12 inches of snow are possible beginning this Saturday and into Sunday, with the higher totals expected in inland areas. Additionally, a second system with the potential to bring, rain, snow and gusty winds may impact the area overnight Tuesday into Wednesday.
“While our region has managed to dodge recent early rounds of true wintry weather, we all knew that could change at any moment,” said Unitil External Affairs Director Alec O’Meara. “As we begin to transition into a more active weather period, we are urging customers to remain prepared for the potential for disruptions from the upcoming storms.”
Having an emergency preparedness kit on hand for your home and vehicle is vital in the event of severe weather during the winter season. Unitil recommends that customers keep three days’ worth of essentials on hand for each family member. Kits for the home should include flashlights and fresh batteries as well as a battery-operated radio and clock, bottled water, canned foods, a manual can opener, medications, tools, portable cellphone charger, a paper list of important phone numbers, and sanitation and first aid supplies.
A supply kit for your vehicle should include jumper cables, sand, a car charger for cellphones, a flashlight, warm clothes, blankets, bottled water and non-perishable snacks. Don’t forget to keep a full tank of gas.
As snow begins to accumulate, customers should keep a close eye on their vents for gas appliances and gas meters and carefully remove any snow and ice that may build up to prevent damage to utilities. Following a significant snow or ice storm, chimneys and vents should be cleared to prevent carbon monoxide from building up and potentially causing illness or even death. Carbon monoxide alarms should be installed inside homes and businesses.
A broom should be used when clearing snow and ice from meters. Avoid using a shovel or kicking the meter to break up ice as it could cause damage. It’s also important to make sure that snow isn’t shoveled or plowed up against the meter or vent pipe. Icicles should also be carefully removed from overhead eaves and gutters so they don’t fall and damage equipment or cause water to splash and freeze on the meter or vent pipe. Installing protection above a gas meter can help to keep ice from building up.
When a winter weather-related event approaches, it’s important to understand the differences in the criteria for weather advisories issued by the National Weather Service.
- A Winter Weather Advisory is issued when mixed precipitation (snow and ice, snow and sleet, or snow, ice and sleet) or light freezing rain causes travel impacts or less than 4 inches of snow is forecasted.
- A Winter Storm Watch is issued when winter storm conditions with 6 or more inches of snow are possible within the next 36 to 48 hours. The National Weather Service advises people in a watch area should review their winter storm plans and stay informed about weather conditions via NOAA weather radio or local radio or television stations.
- A Winter Storm Warning is issued when life-threatening, severe winter conditions that could lead to significant travel problems or power outages have begun or will begin within 24 hours. Anyone living in the warning area is advised to take precautions immediately.
For more information on storm safety and preparedness, visit our Storms & Service Interruptions page.
IMPORTANT NOTE FOR MEDIA:
Unitil asks that when reporting outage information, outlets time stamp the information. Outage numbers change hourly and we wish to make sure the information customers receive is consistent and understandable. Re-Tweets and re-posting of old information without referencing a time can create confusion.
Customers experiencing outages should call 1-888-301-7700 or report online at unitil.com/report-outage.
