MANCHESTER, N.H. (December 19, 2023) — Working around-the-clock following yesterday’s powerful storm that brought heavy rain and strong winds to the entire region and caused significant tree damage to the electric system statewide, Eversource crews have restored power to more than 84,000 customers in New Hampshire – including approximately 26,000 in fewer than five minutes by remote system operators using distribution automation technology. As of 10:00 a.m., approximately 3,000 customers remain without power in New Hampshire, and the energy company will substantially complete restoration for all customers currently without power by 10 p.m., with the majority completed well before that.

“The cumulative effects of a highly saturated ground and tree branches weakened following storms earlier this month combined with yesterday’s heavy rain and powerful winds caused significant tree damage to the electric system in every region of New Hampshire,” said Eversource New Hampshire President of Electric Operations Doug Foley. “Working tirelessly since the storm entered the state overnight Sunday, our crews have made great progress working with public safety officials to clear blocked roads and address emergency situations while making repairs to restore power to more than 84,000 customers. As we compete restoration to all of our customers in the Granite State without power today, we will begin sending crews to support our fellow utilities in ongoing restoration efforts – including Eversource in Massachusetts, which was also pummeled by yesterday’s storm.”

Approximately 350 line, tree and service crews in New Hampshire worked through challenging conditions such as torrential downpours, high winds and flooded roads that impeded travel in order to address public safety issues and make repairs to the electric system. The strong winds and heavy rain yesterday were enough alone to cause significant tree damage, which was only exacerbated by the saturated ground and weakened tree limbs following other recent storms. Statewide, yesterday’s storm caused more than 80 blocked roads and more than 40 broken utility poles. Eversource will also be conducting aerial inspections of its system in New Hampshire today to identify any additional issues caused by the storm.

As Eversource crews continue working today to clear damage, make repairs and restore power to customers, outages impacting a larger number of customers will be restored first as damage impacting a single customer is typically further down the line and requires more time-intensive repairs. As restoration is completed for all New Hampshire customers, crews will begin deploying to support other utilities in the region in their restoration efforts.

Eversource encourages customers to take care when conducting their own storm cleanup today, as weakened trees and limbs could still come down with breezy conditions. Additional information and post-storm safety tips are available on the storm preparedness 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 2023 and recognized as one of America’s Most JUST Companies. 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 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.

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