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Potentially damaging winds forecast for Monday

Submitted by tim on

Vermont Business Magazine The National Weather Service has issued a High Wind Warning for areas of Vermont on Monday. Power outages and damage caused by downed trees and tree limbs are likely in the warning area. The strongest winds will occur along the western slopes of the Green Mountains, impacting communities in Western Windham, Bennington, Rutland, Eastern Addison, Eastern Chittenden, and Eastern Franklin counties. Other areas of Vermont will also see windy conditions throughout Monday.

The National Weather Service says 30 to 40 mph winds with gusts of 60 mph are expected in the warning area. Isolated areas of Eastern Addison and Eastern Rutland counties could experience gusts as strong as 75 mph. Vermont state agencies and utilities are preparing for scattered to widespread power outages due to strong winds, saturated soils, and some ice accumulation on tree limbs.

Those who encounter downed power lines should stay away and always assume lines are live. Those clearing trees and debris should also ensure branches are not in contact with power lines. Motorists should also respect all road detours should debris block roads.

Other safety recommendations:

  • Check with elderly or disabled relatives and neighbors to ensure their safety.
  • Report power outages to your utility.
  • Be extra cautious if you go outside to inspect for damage after a storm. Downed or hanging electrical wires can be hidden by snowdrifts, trees or debris, and could be live. Never attempt to touch or move downed lines. Keep children and pets away from them.
  • Do not touch anything power lines are touching, such as tree branches or fences. Always assume a downed line is a live line. Call your utility company to report any outage-related problem.
  • Check flashlights and portable radios to ensure that they are working, and you have extra batteries. A radio is an important source of weather and emergency information during a storm.
  • If utilizing an emergency generator, read, understand and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Always operate emergency generators outdoors and away from any open window.
  • Ensure that your Carbon Monoxide (CO) detectors are working correctly and have fresh batteries. Check your outside fuel exhaust vents, making sure that they are not obstructed by debris. Never use cooking equipment intended for outside use indoors as a heat source or cooking device.
  • If your water supply could be affected by a power outage (a well-water pump system), fill your bathtub and spare containers with water. Water in the bathtub should be used for sanitation purposes only, not as drinking water.
  • During an outage, do not open the refrigerator or freezer door. Food can stay cold in a full refrigerator for up to 24 hours, and in a well-packed freezer for 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-packed). If you have medication that requires refrigeration, check with your pharmacist for guidance on proper storage during an extended outage.

Green Mountain Power said it is positioned to respond to outages. The National Weather Service forecasts high wind gusts and widespread suggest damage could rival the severe October 2017 wind storm that knocked out power to 130,000 customers. GMP has brought in external crews, doubling its workforce to get the lights back on if needed.

Forecasters say high winds will hit the southern part of the state first just after midnight Sunday and continue through late Monday, impacting Vermont from the Massachusetts border up to the Canadian border. Gusts topping 65 MPH are forecasted along the western slopes of the Green Mountains, especially in Rutland, Bennington, parts of Windsor and Windham, Addison, Chittenden and Franklin counties.

“We are hoping for the best, but we are actively preparing for outages. The wind speed forecast we are seeing from the National Weather Service is similar to the October 2017 storm in which 130,000 customers were affected,”said Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power. “We have crews positioned to respond as quickly and safely as possible,” she said.

Information and safety resources:

WCAX:High winds expected to cause outages in southern Vermont

Sign up for Vermont Alert for weather, road, or emergency updates sent directly to your e-mail or cell phone: http://www.vtalert.gov.

Forecast information: www.weather.gov/btv or www.weather.gov/aly.

Twitter feed for all agencies below: https://twitter.com/vemvt/lists/vt-storm-resources

www.greenmountainpower.com/community/safety/be-safe-in-a-storm/

greenmountainpower.com/textalerts

www.greenmountainpower.com

greenmountainpower.com/map/outages/

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Source: Public Safety 4.15.2018