Additional crews will continue arriving tomorrow to support restoration effort after early spring Nor’easter causes massive destruction to trees and damage to the electric system

MANCHESTER, N.H. (April 4, 2024) – More than 800 Eversource line, tree and service crews are working as quickly and safely as possible to address public safety issues, clear blocked roads and other damage, and make repairs to restore power to customers after an early spring Nor’easter caused significant destruction to trees across New Hampshire. Already weakened by last week’s ice and wind storms, trees across the state are buckling under the heavy, wet snow and strong winds that are expected to persist through this afternoon and evening. Since the storm entered the state last night, Eversource has restored power to just under 91,000 customers, including more than 71,000 in fewer than five minutes by remote system operators using switching technology. Approximately 110,000 customers remain without power as of 3:30 p.m. Additional crews, including from Eversource in Massachusetts and Connecticut once restoration is complete in those states, will continue arriving through tomorrow to support what will be a multi-day restoration effort.

“The electric system continues to take on damage and we will have to complete damage assessment before we have a specific timeline for restoring power for all customers, but we know this will be a multi-day restoration effort with the massive destruction to trees caused by this early spring Nor’easter,” said Eversource New Hampshire President of Electric Operations Doug Foley. “Trees were already weakened by last week’s storms, and today’s heavy, wet cement-like snow is sticking to trees – further weighing down limbs and branches that are more easily coming down with the strong winds. Travel has also been a significant challenge for our crews today, with blocked and impassable roads, downed wires, and slippery conditions impeding their efforts to get where they’re needed. Hundreds of additional line crews will continue arriving tomorrow to support our restoration effort, and we will have well over 1,200 line, tree and service crews working to support our communities and customers once they arrive. Our customers have been walloped by these early spring storms over the last week, and we thank them for their patience and understanding as our crews focus on safety while responding to community priorities, clearing damage and making repairs.”

The devastating Nor’easter broke five utility poles and blocked Route 114 in Weare.

With the electric system continuing to take on damage throughout the day and more expected as the Nor’easter exits the state, additional outages are likely and continued damage assessment will be necessary. Eversource has received more than 830 public safety reports, and the storm has caused at least 234 blocked roads and 84 broken poles across the state so far. There has been damage to the electric system in every region of the state, and communities in southern and central areas are among the hardest hit. The energy company is working closely with public safety officials and local communities to address public safety concerns and other community priorities.

Eversource reminds customers to always stay clear of downed wires – including keeping pets away – and report them immediately to 911. In addition, customers should be cautious when doing their own storm clean up – when moving or cutting tree limbs, look for any wires that may be entangled in debris. Additionally, customers who are without power and using a generator are reminded to be sure the generator is located well away from their home or business and that the transfer switch is working properly.

Additional safety tips are available on the safety page of Eversource’s website.

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 2024 and recognized as a Five-Year Champion, appearing in every edition of the list. Celebrated as a national leader for its corporate citizenship, Eversource is New Hampshire’s largest electric utility, serving nearly 535,000 homes and businesses in 211 cities and towns, and also supplies water to approximately 10,300 homes and businesses in eight communities. Eversource is proud to be recognized as the #1 contributor to United Way in New Hampshire. Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 9,900 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 a first-in-the-nation networked geothermal pilot project, solar, offshore wind, electric vehicles and battery storage, into the electric system. For more information, please visit eversource.com, and follow us on X, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. For more information on our water services, visit aquarionwater.com.

CONTACT:
William Hinkle
603-634-2228
william.hinkle@eversource.com