National Grid Returns Power to 252,000 Massachusetts Customers, Focuses on Hardest Hit Areas

90 percent of customers have been restored

WALTHAM, Mass. – National Grid has restored power to the vast majority of Massachusetts customers affected by the storm that tore through New England early this week. The company is continuing its focus on the most difficult outages – those requiring reconstruction work and access to remote rights-of-way – as crews head into the evening.

As of 3:30 p.m., 252,000 of the 282,000 Massachusetts customers who lost power after the severe windstorm have their power back. Most of the remaining outages are in the Merrimack Valley, the hardest hit area in the state.

“Our crews made substantial progress in the overnight hours and through the day, and we are zeroing in on the home stretch,” said Cordi O’Hara, president of National Grid in Massachusetts. “We understand, though, that this progress means little to those who are the last to get their power back. We are thankful for our customers’ patience, and we will not slow down until every customer is back in service.”

Many customers will see their power back on through the evening. In locations where specialty equipment is required in order to make repairs, where damage is extreme, or where there are single, scattered outages, power is expected to be restored by Thursday night.

National Grid will continue to refine town- and outage-specific estimated restoration times (ETRs). Customers may check on the status of their outage by logging in to the report/check outage page on our website. It’s important to note that some of the town-specific ETRs in the outage map reflect the time the last customer in that town is expected to be restored.

More than 700 overhead line, forestry, wires down, substation, and damage assessment crews are assigned to the Massachusetts restoration effort. The crews are supported by hundreds of additional National Grid employees working on logistics, materials, and other key functions that facilitate the restoration process.

Massachusetts (3:30 p.m.):

Crews: 730

Peak outages: 282,000

Outages: 30,000

Customers restored: 252,000

Emergency 911 call responses: 1,600

We are keeping safety a priority:

We urge customers to watch out for their own wellbeing and the safety of utility crews working during the storm. Here are some tips to help keep everyone safe:

• Never touch downed power lines, and always assume that any fallen lines are live electric wires. If you see one, report it immediately to National Grid or your local emergency response organization.
• Power problems can sometimes interrupt public water supply systems or disable well pumps, so it’s an especially good idea to keep a supply of bottled drinking water handy, as well as some canned food.
• People who depend on electric-powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should let National Grid know. To register as a life support customer, call the company’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-322-3223.
• Check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage period.

Electric safety

• If you use a generator to supply power during an outage, be sure to operate it outdoors. Before operating generators, disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could jeopardize the safety of line crews and the public.
• If you lose power, turn off any appliances that were on when the power went off, but leave one light on so you will know when power is restored.
• Reminder: It’s not safe to work in an elevated bucket during periods of increased wind gusts. Our line workers begin restoration work only when conditions are deemed safe.

We are updating our customers:

• Report power outages at www.nationalgridus.com or call 1-800-465-1212.
• Receive text message alerts and updates when you text the word STORM to NGRID (64743).
• Use your mobile device to track outage information and storm-related safety tips through National Grid’s mobile site accessible at www.ngrid.com/mobile.
• Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram; we post all the latest storm and restoration updates.
• Track outages at www.nationalgridus.com/outage-central.