By Christopher Colorio, Eversource Incident Commander & Vice President of Electric System Operations

Storm preparedness is a year-round priority for all of us at Eversource, and our commitment to a fast, safe and successful storm response was in full operation during the recent nor’easter that swept through Connecticut - with the mission of getting power restored to all of our impacted customers and communities.  We deployed hundreds of crews to respond to this storm, including outside lineworkers from around the region, and they worked tirelessly through challenging conditions to safely restore power to more than 60,000 homes and businesses across the state in just over a day. Whether it’s a severe storm, a tropical system or winter weather – our storm response team always stands ready, but the real work begins long before the first crew arrives.

Every storm is different, and our response starts with detailed forecasting. We monitor multiple weather and outage predictive models to assess potential impact to the 149 towns we serve in Connecticut. Based on this data, we strategically stage crews and equipment across the state to ensure rapid deployment. For major storms, we activate elevated staffing protocols to meet regulatory requirements and make appropriate staffing adjustments when the actual level of system damage differs from the original forecast.

When the scale of predicted damage exceeds the availability of all local resources, we tap into the electric industry’s mutual aid network. This system allows us to bring in skilled lineworkers, contractors, and specialized equipment from partner utilities from across the country and sometimes even Canada. Their arrival is coordinated based on geography—crews from the west are typically assigned to western Connecticut, while those from the north are staged in northern areas. Our emergency response plan is flexible and scalable, allowing us to shift resources as damage assessments evolve.

Logistics play a critical role in our success. Crews need more than just tools—they need places to sleep, eat, and recharge. Months before a storm is even forecasted, we begin securing contracts for hotel rooms, staging areas, and even university dorms to accommodate incoming workers. Feeding hundreds to thousands of people multiple times a day requires coordination with logistics teams and vendors across the state. 

Equally important is ensuring we have the right materials on hand. Our logistics team verifies inventory levels of poles, wire, transformers, and other essential equipment. These supplies are pre-positioned at strategic locations to support efficient restoration. We also account for fuel, vehicle maintenance, and safety gear.

As Incident Commander, I oversee the execution of this complex operation. Our goal is simple: restore power safely and quickly. But achieving that goal requires precision, planning, and teamwork. Every storm teaches us something new, and we continuously refine our processes to improve response times and customer outcomes.  We also employ a number of strategies to ensure that the costs of restoring service to customers on a safe and expeditious basis are reasonable under the circumstances.

So when the next storm hits, know that behind every restored customer is a coordinated effort involving hundreds to thousands of people working around the clock—driven by a commitment to serve our communities and keep Connecticut powered.