Franklin Matters: National Grid: Winter Storm Warning

Tuesday, February 4, 2014

National Grid: Winter Storm Warning

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Winter storm warning

National Grid crews are prepared for a winter storm bearing down on the Northeast region tonight and Wednesday, with the most severe weather predicted to occur Wednesday morning. Forecasts are calling for high winds, heavy, wet snowfall and possible ice accumulations along the New England coast that could damage trees and result in power outages. Flooding along coastal areas is also a concern and can cause interruptions in natural gas service.

While we have additional crews and equipment resources to restore outages as swiftly as possible, we still advise customers to be prepared for service interruptions. It's a good idea to have a number of working flashlights, at least one battery-operated radio and an extra supply of batteries in your home. A radio is a good way to stay in touch, as National Grid provides news media with timely information regarding service restoration efforts.

If you experience a power outage, you can report it in the Outage Central section of our website or by calling 1-800-465-1212. For more information on how you can stay safe, please visit our Storm Safety and Hypothermia pages.

How you can stay informed before, during and after the storm

In addition to radio reports, National Grid has a number of ways for you to stay connected and informed about service issues and interruptions during storms. You can receive text message alerts and updates by texting the word STORM to NGRID (64743) or follow the storm on your mobile devices by downloading the National Grid mobile app from GooglePlay or iTunes stores. And we also provide storm and restoration updates through Facebook and Twitter.

Tips to weather the storm

National Grid customers who experience outages should call National Grid's outage line at 1-800-465-1212 immediately to expedite restoration.
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.
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.
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.
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.
NEVER burn wood or coal in an indoor area without proper venting. Portable gas and charcoal grills intended for outside use should never be used indoors, or even inside an open garage.
NEVER use your gas range to heat your apartment or house. Your range's oven and top burners are designed to cook your food, NOT to heat your home. Prolonged use can reduce oxygen levels in the home and contribute to unusually excessive levels of carbon monoxide.