Another storm is gathering west of Vermont and could hit later today. The NOAA forcast for Tuesday night states: "Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before midnight, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after midnight. Some of the storms could produce small hail, gusty winds, and heavy rain. Cloudy, with a low around 60. South wind 3 to 7 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a half and three quarters of an inch possible."
After successfully restoring 73,621 outages during July storms already (July 2 – July 9), Green Mountain Power said it is ready for another round of storms. GMP said in a release that its employees and contractors are fully prepared to respond quickly if thunderstorms building up west of Vermont cause significant damage Tuesday evening.
“Storms headed to Vermont could hit anywhere in the state this evening, so we have prepared our workforce across the state to be ready to respond to any outages,” said Dorothy Schnure, GMP spokesperson. “With the likelihood of trees bringing down power lines, we remind everyone to stay safely away from downed lines, or anything touching a downed line, as they could still be carrying electricity.”
GMP has lined up additional lineworkers and tree trimmers to be available should strong winds cause extensive damage.
“Getting the lights on quickly and safely is priority number one for everyone at GMP,” said Schnure. “July is typically the worst month for storms and outages. Already in July crews restored 73,621 outages, which is roughly equal to the number of total outages we experienced in the first four months of this year. As you can tell, it has been a very active July and we are dedicated and ready to go if we get another round of thunderstorms.”
GMP is offering new ways for the public to stay informed during weather events like this. Customers may sign up for text service to report outages and get updates. Simply text REG to 46788 or GMPVT, or sign up online at greenmountainpower.com/textalerts. Customer account number is necessary for the initial sign up. As always, customers may report outages by calling 1-888-835-4672, or visiting GMP’s Outage Center page at www.greenmountainpower.com.
With the summer storm season here, GMP offered the following safety advice:
· GMP encourages the public to stay safe and report downed power lines and outages. Contact your local first responders to report emergencies.
· If you have a cell phone, make sure it is charged so you can make calls in an emergency.
· If using a generator, read and follow the owner’s manual before starting it. 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.