Vermont Business Magazine A winter storm approaching Vermont will bring ice accumulations that will likely pull down trees and snap branches over the weekend, causing power outages across VEC territory. GMP is also positioning crews to respond as quickly and safely as possible to potential outages. The icing is expected to begin in the early hours of Sunday. While icing is likely throughout northern Vermont, the greatest threat for heavier and more damaging accumulations will be in Chittenden, Grand Isle, and Franklin counties. Flooding could also occur.
In preparation for this and any storm, VEC urges members keep the following in mind:
· Plan for medical needs/devices. If someone in your home is dependent on electric-powered medical equipment, make sure you have a battery backup or make alternative arrangements to ensure their needs are met.
· Stock water. Before a storm arrives, fill a bathtub if you have one, so you have water to flush the toilet. (Avoid unsupervised bathroom access to children). Fill large containers for drinking water or buy bottled water.
· Charge devices, and fuel vehicles. Be sure cell phones, computers and tablets are charged and vehicles are full of fuel.
· Watch the forecast. Keep updated with storm alerts and news from the National Weather Service.
· If you encounter a downed power line stay clear of the line and promptly call VEC at 800-832-2667.
- If your power does go out and you run a generator, do so safely including always operating it outdoors. Never run a generator in a barn, shed or garage.
- During outages you can check the VEC outage page at www.vermontelectric.coop for estimated restoration times.
Green Mountain Power (GMP) is alerting customers about a regional storm that forecasters say will bring heavy precipitation, ice, possible flooding, wind and hazardous road conditions to New England starting Saturday evening. They say the storm system has the potential to coat much of the Champlain Valley and northern Vermont in ice, creating the possibility for outages. Meteorologists on a statewide preparation conference call for all utilities and emergency management leaders said possible ice accumulations in GMP service territory are forecasted to be close to half an inch or more in Franklin, Chittenden and Addison Counties, which can weigh down trees and power lines.
“We have been tracking these weather developments with multiple forecasting models for days and will be ready to respond for our customers. Safety is a priority for everyone. Customers need to know that driving will be very difficult and with the potential for that much ice, downed lines and trees are possible. Customers need to stay well away from downed lines, and call us instead,” said Mike Burke, GMP’s chief field operations executive.
The National Weather Service posted a flood watch for Northern New York and Vermont, as the steady precipitation predicted with this storm combined with snow melt from warmer temperatures could cause volatile increases in water levels. Some rivers could rise several feet.
Customers are urged to be aware of rapidly changing conditions in streams, rivers, ponds and lakes across the region. Watersheds noted by forecasters for flooding included the Mad River, Winooski, and Otter Creek. This safety precaution especially ties to anyone thinking of doing any outdoor recreation like ice fishing, as those quickly changing water levels could create dangerous conditions.
GMP is also recommending customers be prepared for the possibility of extended-duration outages if the storm plays out as forecasted. Stay alert, stay away from all downed lines or trees, and be aware of hazardous road conditions. Customers can call 888-835-4672 to report outages and should call 911 for a medical emergency.
For more GMP storm safety tips, and to sign up for text alerts go here: https://
Report outages and track restoration times in GMP’s online Outage Center: https://outages.
AccuWeather Global Weather Center — January 10, 2020 — AccuWeather expert meteorologists provide updates to media working on stories related to snow and ice heading from regions in Central to the Northern US.
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About Vermont Electric Cooperative
Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC), established in 1938, is a non-profit, member-owned electric distribution utility that provides safe, affordable, and reliable electric service to approximately 32,000 members in 75 communities in northern Vermont. Nationally recognized for innovative and advanced use of technology, VEC is the largest locally-owned electric distribution utility in Vermont.
About Green Mountain Power
Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and is partnering with them to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP earned a spot on Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in the World list three years in a row (2017, 2018, 2019). GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. J.D. Power’s 2018 and 2019 rankings put GMP among top utilities for customer satisfaction. In 2019, GMP was named “One of the Best Places To Work in Vermont” by Vermont Business Magazine and the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, and was the winner of the Deane C. Davis Outstanding Vermont Business of the Year Award.
Source: VEC. GMP. 1.10.2020 www.vermontelectric.coop