NATIONAL GRID PLC
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National Grid Continues Restoration Efforts in Rhode Island After Today's Severe Weather National Grid Continues Restoration Efforts in Rhode Island After Today's Severe WeatherAugust 4, 2015 - PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- National Grid crews have been working since early this morning to restore power to thousands of customers in the wake of devastating thunderstorms that tore through Rhode Island. The storms' high winds, intense lightning and torrential rains left major destruction in their wake, toppling many large trees and causing extensive damage to National Grid's power lines and equipment. "Our first priority is to restore power to customers as quickly and as safely as possible," said Timothy F. Horan, president of National Grid in Rhode Island. "We have 180 line crews and 60 tree crews out in the field in Rhode Island working to restore power. Since our peak outage this morning of 121,000 customers, we have brought back 26,000 customers and we expect to bring back more throughout the evening into tomorrow." National Grid expects all Rhode Island customers impacted by the severe weather to have their power restored by late tomorrow evening. National Grid has opened its New England Emergency Operations Center in Worcester, MA and its Providence Storm Room. These facilities are staffed around the clock to support the restoration. The company also has assigned employees to work directly with municipal officials to facilitate restoration in the hardest-hit communities in Rhode Island. According to Horan, several transmission lines were damaged by the destructive storms. Transmission lines are the "energy highways" of the electric system, which serve thousands of customers. In addition, the high number of downed trees and large tree limbs that were knocked down by winds tore down many power lines and damaged the associated equipment. Crews will continue to work until all customers are restored. "We know it's very inconvenient for our customers when the power is out for an extended period of time. We're doing all we can to get power back on, and appreciate our customers' patience," Horan added. Make Safety a PriorityNational Grid urges customers to focus on their own safety and that of utility crews working during the restoration. Here are some tips to help keep everyone safe:
National Grid Continues Restoration Efforts in Rhode Island After Today's Severe Weather National Grid Continues Restoration Efforts in Rhode Island After Today's Severe WeatherAugust 4, 2015 - PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- National Grid crews have been working since early this morning to restore power to thousands of customers in the wake of devastating thunderstorms that tore through Rhode Island. The storms' high winds, intense lightning and torrential rains left major destruction in their wake, toppling many large trees and causing extensive damage to National Grid's power lines and equipment. "Our first priority is to restore power to customers as quickly and as safely as possible," said Timothy F. Horan, president of National Grid in Rhode Island. "We have 180 line crews and 60 tree crews out in the field in Rhode Island working to restore power. Since our peak outage this morning of 121,000 customers, we have brought back 26,000 customers and we expect to bring back more throughout the evening into tomorrow." National Grid expects all Rhode Island customers impacted by the severe weather to have their power restored by late tomorrow evening. National Grid has opened its New England Emergency Operations Center in Worcester, MA and its Providence Storm Room. These facilities are staffed around the clock to support the restoration. The company also has assigned employees to work directly with municipal officials to facilitate restoration in the hardest-hit communities in Rhode Island. According to Horan, several transmission lines were damaged by the destructive storms. Transmission lines are the "energy highways" of the electric system, which serve thousands of customers. In addition, the high number of downed trees and large tree limbs that were knocked down by winds tore down many power lines and damaged the associated equipment. Crews will continue to work until all customers are restored. "We know it's very inconvenient for our customers when the power is out for an extended period of time. We're doing all we can to get power back on, and appreciate our customers' patience," Horan added. Make Safety a PriorityNational Grid urges customers to focus on their own safety and that of utility crews working during the restoration. 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.
- Be alert and aware of National Grid crews working to restore service. Please stay clear of work zones.
- 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.
- To report wires down or a power outage call 800-465-1212.
- 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.
- 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.
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