Energy company offers customers readiness tips as it recognizes National Hurricane Preparedness Week

BERLIN, Conn. - As the changing climate increases the frequency, severity and unpredictability of storms, Eversource focuses year-round on fortifying the electric system and preparing for extreme weather to enhance reliability for customers. With another above-average Atlantic hurricane season forecasted for 2022 when it begins on June 1, the energy company is highlighting those preparedness efforts and encouraging customers to also be ready with a plan of action in recognition of National Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 1-7).

“Emergency preparedness is a constant focus for us as we work to ensure safe, reliable service for our customers no matter what New England’s notoriously harsh weather brings,” said Eversource President of Electric Operations in Connecticut Steve Sullivan. “With violent winds, torrential downpours, flooding, lightning and falling trees, hurricanes can severely threaten power lines, substations, and other critical infrastructure. That’s why we work year-round to fortify the electric system and make it more resilient to extreme weather with equipment and technology ranging from stronger poles and covered wire to innovative distribution automation devices like smart switches. In addition, we’re constantly refining planning and emergency response processes as well as closely communicating with emergency management and public safety officials and our communities.” The energy company has held a series of information sessions with municipal leaders to ensure seamless collaboration and coordination during storms and clarify roles and responsibilities – everything from how to correctly classify and report power outages, to natural gas safety and how community leaders can effectively work with their municipal liaisons.   

Eversource is constantly working to modernize and strengthen the electric system to help ensure safe and reliable service for its customers. This includes strategic investments in innovative technology to upgrade the grid, such as  “smart switches”  that enable system operators to isolate power outages and remotely reroute power from another source within minutes; “smart fuses” that automatically restore power to customers when a tree limb temporarily contacts wires and help to protect the electric system when a problem is detected, such as a current surge or overload; and optical ground wire (OPGW) that enhances communication between company facilities and protects the high-voltage transmission system from severe weather conditions, such as lightning strikes.

With trees being the number one cause of power outages during storms, trimming and removing hazard trees that threaten overhead electric lines is crucial to providing customers with reliable power in all types of weather. The energy company’s comprehensive year-round tree trimming program is fundamental to emergency preparedness, and Eversource is investing $72 million in tree trimming across Connecticut this year with work scheduled along more than 4,000 miles of electric distribution lines.

“Our customers depend on us to restore power as quickly and safely as possible, and we take that responsibility seriously,” added Sullivan. “During National Hurricane Preparedness Week, we also encourage our customers to take steps to be prepared at home in the event they do lose power during a hurricane this year.”

Eversource offers several simple tips and steps customers can take to help prepare for hurricane season at home and know what to do before, during and after a storm.  The energy company provides a storm safety checklist and encourages customers to always have an emergency plan in place, stock a storm kit with essential items, plan a meeting place for family members and be ready to check on neighbors. Customers can also download Eversource’s mobile app or to sign up for the company’s two-way texting to report and check outages in the event they do lose power.

For more information on Eversource’s emergency preparedness efforts and restoration process, visit Eversource.com.

Eversource (NYSE: ES), celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, is the #1 energy company in Newsweek’s list of America’s Most Responsible Companies for 2021 and recognized as one of America’s Most JUST Companies. Celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship., Eversource transmits and delivers electricity to 1.27 million customers in 149 cities and towns, provides natural gas to 249,000 customers in 74 communities, and supplies water to approximately 207,000 customers in 56 communities across Connecticut. Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 9,200 employees across three states to build a single, united company around the mission of safely delivering reliable energy and water with superior customer service. The #1 energy efficiency provider in the nation, the company is empowering a clean energy future in the Northeast, with nationally-recognized energy efficiency solutions and successful programs to integrate new clean energy resources like solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com, and follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com. 

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Tricia Modifica
(860) 665-4605
tricia.modifica@eversource.com

Mitch Gross
(860) 665-5221
mitch.gross@eversource.com

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