Green Mountain Power has sent 35 line workers, supervisors and support staff to Quebec to assist with power restoration. ‘ A convoy of bucket trucks and diggers left Green Mountain Power’s Colchester Service Center at 2:15 PM’ Saturday. The crews were dispatched at the request of Hydro Quebec.’
Quebec’s electric grid was hard hit by the same windstorm that caused thousands of outages in Vermont in the early hours of November 1.’ ‘
‘Our own customers’ outages have been restored, and we are well staffed in Vermont to respond to anything that happens here’ ‘ said Dotty Schnure, GMP Spokesperson. ‘Hydro Quebec has been a tremendous help in the past when Vermont has had extensive outages, and we are happy to return the favor.’’
The GMP crews headed in the direction of Granby, Quebec, where 78,000 Hydro Quebec customers remain without power. They currently anticipate that they’ll be needed for one to two days.
GMP trucks head north on I89 Saturday.
GMP crews restored service to the thousands of customers Friday in Vermont whose power was knocked out by the powerful winds sweeping across Vermont beginning Thursday evening. More than 7,300 customers have been restored, with 1,100 remaining without power at 4 pm Friday.
‘We have brought in more than 160 outside electrical workers and tree trimmers to assist GMP crews in restoring power as quickly as possible,’ said Dorothy Schnure, GMP spokesperson. ‘While the damage was significant, we know our customers expect power to be restored quickly and we are doing everything we can to exceed their expectations.’
GMP crews restoring power in Warren early Friday.
Customers in the Mad River Valley, Royalton and Rutland areas first felt the impacts of the winds. Crews were immediately dispatched to restore power in those communities.’
By late afternoon it appears that the worst of the weather has passed. Green Mountain Power estimates that if no new outages occur, restoration will be complete by late Friday night or early Saturday morning.
Schnure reminds the public to be aware of safety considerations around downed power lines. A downed line may still be energized and contact could be fatal. It is important to keep children and pets away from any trees that could have lines tangled in them.’
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.
GMP 11.2.2013