New England’s rainy spring and soggy Saturdays have dominated weather headlines in recent weeks, but Unitil is reminding customers not to forget about other potential hazards on the horizon as the summer months approach: hurricanes and severe thunderstorms.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently released its forecast calling for an above-normal 2025 Atlantic hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. According to its current prediction, NOAA is expecting 13 to 19 named storms with sustained winds of 39 mph or higher. The agency predicts six to 10 of those tropical systems will become hurricanes, which have winds of at least 74 mph. Of those, three to five are forecasted to strengthen into major hurricanes with winds of 111 mph or higher.
As forecasters keep a close eye on the tropics, Unitil – a provider of electricity and natural gas to customers in New England – encourages customers to follow local daily forecasts as the summer season begins on June 20.
“Tropical cyclones and summertime storms can pose a significant risk to lives and property, so it’s important for customers to take proactive steps to prepare for threatening weather conditions,” Unitil External Affairs Director Alec O’Meara said. “Severe thunderstorms that can pop up with little warning, especially during the summer months, and the strong winds, frequent lightning and other hazards associated with these systems always have the potential to cause damage and power outages.”
Hurricane and severe weather preparedness is critical. As part of their storm planning, Unitil encourages customers to develop an emergency kit that includes necessities such a gallon of water per person per day, non-perishable food, a flashlight and fresh batteries, a battery-powered radio, a first aid kit, medications, supplies for infants and pets, a multi-purpose tool, personal hygiene items, copies of important paperwork, cell phone chargers and portable phone chargers, extra cash, blankets, a list of important phone numbers, maps of the area and emergency contact information.
Customers are also advised to establish an evacuation plan in case they’re separated from family members during an emergency and have to evacuate.
In the event of severe weather conditions, it’s important to secure loose items that could be blown around by strong winds and to always keep your vehicle’s gas tank full. It’s also good to know in advance how local officials would reach out during a disaster and how they will provide important information such as evacuation orders.
A strong storm can leave a number of hazards in its wake, including downed electrical wires, which should never be approached because they could still be live and threaten one’s safety. Anyone who comes across downed wires should contact your local utility or call 911 immediately.
Unitil reminds customers to stay updated on the latest information on watches and warnings issued by the National Weather Service, which can be found on NOAA Weather Radio, local news broadcasts, a TV weather channel, a weather app, or on the National Weather Service’s website, weather.gov.
For additional information on ways to stay safe during and after a storm, power outage or gas service interruption, visit our Storms & Service Interruptions page.
