Unitil Corporation, (www.unitil.com), a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers throughout New England, is preparing for the potential of winter weather conditions in all of its service territories over the next 24-36 hours.
According to the most recent forecasts, high accumulations of snow and isolated wind gusts are possible throughout New England beginning late in the evening tonight and through tomorrow. Such conditions can cause scattered electric outages and while most interruptions are for relatively short periods of times, substantial damage to the electrical system can extend the restoration period. In preparation for the storm, Unitil is bolstering its standard compliment of crews in all territories and will be prepared to open its emergency operations center if needed.
Unitil has been monitoring this storm since Sunday, Jan. 9. The consistency of the snow as it falls throughout the storm will be a key factor in the overall impact on the electric infrastructure, Unitil Media Relations Manager Alec O’Meara said.
“While any winter storm has the potential to cause outages, wetter and heavier snow is more likely to stick to limbs and bring down trees onto power lines,” O’Meara said. “Our forecasts suggest much of the snow which will fall will be of the lighter, fluffier variety, but forecasts can change quickly and Unitil will be prepared should conditions worsen.”
Unitil is advising its customers to be similarly prepared for the potential of widespread outages. We recommend checking and making an inventory of the following items:
- Flashlights and fresh batteries
- A battery-operated radio and clock
- Bottled water, canned foods and a manual can opener
- A list of important phone numbers and a car charger for cell phones if applicable
- A first aid kit.
Customers experiencing outages should call the following toll-free numbers:
For Massachusetts: 888-301-7700
For the NH Capital Area: 800-852-3339
For the NH Seacoast Area: 800-582-7276
In the event of any outage, Unitil will work quickly and efficiently to restore power. In the meantime, we ask for our customers' patience and understanding while we work on restoration and we will provide regular updates to local media outlets regarding progress. General updates regarding outages and restoration will also be available though Unitil’s newly redesigned Website, www.unitil.com and Unitil’s Twitter feed.
