damage as the freak storm ….
damage as the freak storm system a year ago, it still caused significant problems.
“We were having a pretty good year in terms of outages and were actually on track for our best year in five years until this came along,” said Stewart. “We had crews out since Tuesday evening… Our crews have to be rotated so they stay safe. As the power has been restored in one area, another line will trip off, so it’s been slow going. There’s definitely a lot of branches and trees on the road.”
Preparation for power outages A storm like this reminds consumers how much they depend on electricity and the need to plan ahead in the event the unexpected happens.
People should call the power company if their power goes out. They should avoid going near downed lines and assume the line is live. It is also important to keep one’s natural gas meter clear as well as keeping the sidewalk and driveway clear of snow.
“People should have a preparedness kit ready ahead of time in case the power goes out… The kit should include flashlights, radios and things like that,” said Stewart.
Other tips include avoiding opening the refrigerator as much as possible, so cold foods stay cold, and having candles, lanterns or another non-electric light source.
“If you’re going to use a generator, make sure it’s hooked up properly and properly vented,” said Stewart. “If it requires a double-throw switch, make sure its operational and working correctly.”
People should take care when using space heaters. They should make sure the heater has the label showing it is listed by a recognized testing laboratory and read the manufacturer’s instructions and warning labels. Never leave a space heater unattended. The power companies also ask for the public’s patience as they work to restore power.
“Our crews work extremely hard in less-than-ideal conditions. We understand it’s not fun to have the power out. But we will get the power restored as quickly as possible — that’s our goal and our crews work very hard to do that,” said Ouellette.
