Storms over the last several days left tens of thousands without power across Vermont at one point or another. Green Mountain Power reports that crews are making an intensified effort today to restore power to most customers by late tonight after this week’s damaging storm. With the help from other Vermont utilities, tree trimming crews, out-of-state utilities and contract crews, more than 500 people are working day and night to restore power.
Power has now been restored to most of the 46,000 customers affected by the storm. By Friday noon, nearly 2,000 customers remained without power. This is the third largest storm of the past 12 months, after Super Storm Sandy and the December wind storm which each had 48,000 outages.
‘While we have about 2,000 customers without power, we still have 280 separate incidents that need repair,’ said Dorothy Schnure, GMP spokesperson. ‘Each incident may take hours to remove fallen trees, reset a pole, and string line to bring back a handful of customers. We will continue this hard work non-stop until all our customers have their power restored.’
Green Mountain Power said it expects most customers to have power restored late Friday night, but in some areas where the damage is extensive, particularly Windsor County, work will continue into Saturday.
GMP employees are meeting with customers in the regions hardest hit by knocking on doors and dropping by local businesses and gathering places to give information and updates about restoration.
‘We really want customers to know that we care about restoring power quickly and understand how difficult it is to be without power,’ said Schnure. ‘Meeting personally with the customers who have been out the longest ensures we can answer their questions first hand.’
Crews have been working round the clock since the storm hit late Wednesday. In addition to GMP employees, the company has brought in out-of-state contract crews. Assistance has also been provided by Burlington Electric Department, Vermont Electric Coop, Stowe Electric Department, Johnson Electric Department, Ludlow Electric, Lyndonville Electric Department and Swanton Electric Department.
Spokesperson Dorothy Schnure issued this statement Thursday night:
"More than 42,000 customers were affected and currently 6,000 are without power. The weather late this afternoon caused a couple thousand new outages, so combined with our progress restoring power, the outage count has stayed relatively steady since late afternoon. We have crews working through the night and so will continue to work the number down. In the morning we will be able to hit it hard with a large number of fresh crews, including crews who have rested and some additional crews from out of state.
"We still expect to restore power to most customers by late Friday evening, and possibly Saturday for the last few. At this point in an outage, the numbers go down more slowly than early in an outage when one repair may restore power to hundreds or even thousands. Now it is slower. For example, we have 6200 customers out, but 600 separate incidents that need repair.
"The areas that had the most damage and have the most work left are in Springfield, Royalton and Rutland. You can check status on specific towns anytime at https://wss.greenmountainpower.com/customers/outages/.
"It has been a tough haul ‘ lots of trees down, broken poles and wires on the ground. But we’ve got a dedicated, large group of people working on getting our customers’ power restored as quickly as possible."
Customers may report outages by calling 1-888-835-4672, visiting GMP’s Outage Center page at www.greenmountainpower.com or mobile enhanced at m.greenmountainpower.com, or by clicking the ‘Power Out?’ button on GMP’s Facebook site.
GMP offered several safety tips for coping with the outages:
STAY AWAY FROM DOWNED POWER LINES. Don't touch or even go near downed wires! These wires can be energized and can cause serious injuries or death. If the line is blocking the road or in contact with a vehicle with people inside, call your local police or fire emergency number first. Then call GMP. Instruct others to keep at least 50 feet away, and keep pets and livestock away as well.
Assume all objects touching the power line are also energized. Never attempt to remove trees or limbs from any utility lines! Notify GMP of the situation.
If using a generator, read and follow the owner's manual before starting the generator. Never operate a generator inside any structure or near a structure. Use a transfer switch to ensure electricity is not accidentally fed onto a line where line crews must work.
Keep freezers and refrigerators closed as much as possible to prevent food spoilage.
If power goes out, turn off all electrical appliances except one light so you'll know when service returns. Then, turn equipment back on slowly.
About Green Mountain Power
Green Mountain Power (www.greenmountainpower.com) generates, transmits, distributes and sells electricity in the state of Vermont. The company, which serves more than 250,000 customers, has set its vision to be the best small utility in America.