Unitil Corporation, (www.unitil.com), a provider of natural gas and electricity to customers in New England, is preparing for a significant nor’easter to impact the region Thursday and into Friday.
According to the most recent forecasts, as much as 10-14 inches of snow are possible in all regions, as are wind gusts 40-45 mph. Higher snow totals and wind gusts are possible in coastal regions. Snow is expected to be dry and normal in consistency. Based on current forecasts, Unitil does not plan to open its system Emergency Operations Center, but has secured additional crews in advance of the storm and will continue to closely monitor forecasts and will be prepared to escalate its response if warranted.
"Light, dry snow can drift and cause visibility issues, but it does not typically stick to electric infrastructure. The larger concerns are the wind gusts, which are expected to be the strongest on the coast, and the travel conditions drifting snow creates, which could slow any restoration effort."
Media Relations Manager, Alec O’Meara
As snow continues to accumulate, Unitil urges customers to make sure any outdoor vents or meters are clear of snow and ice by taking the following steps:
- Remove snow and ice carefully from a meter or outdoor appliance vent carefully with a broom. Do not use a shovel as it can damage the meter.
- Avoid shoveling or plowing snow up against or covering the meter of a pipe.
- Remove icicles from overhead eaves and gutters to assure dripping water does not freeze your meter or vent pipe—Contact a qualified roofing vendor if you cannot reach the icicles yourself.
- Do not kick your gas meter in an attempt to break ice off, as this too can cause damage.
“Blocked meters and vents can cause a dangerous buildup of carbon monoxide gas in a home or business, so it is crucial to know where your vents are and to make sure they don’t become covered during a large snowstorm like this,” O’Meara said.
Unitil will be communicating throughout the event through Public Service Announcements (PSAs), our website, our customer call center and through the media. We also encourage customers to follow along with our storm updates via Facebook, our Twitter feed (@Unitil) and we will be providing real-time outage information online at unitil.com/map.
