Energy company restores power for nearly all customers ahead of schedule; remaining outages in Branford to be substantially restored this afternoon

BERLIN, Conn. - Eversource's massive, around-the-clock restoration effort is wrapping up following Thursday's powerful thunderstorm and tornado that left tens-of-thousands of customers without power. While adhering to strict COVID-19 pandemic safety protocols and working alongside crews from Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the energy company has restored electric service to more than 70,000 customers in Connecticut, replacing 128 broken utility poles, stringing more than 12 miles of overhead electric lines, clearing 124 blocked roads and removing nearly 400 trees. As of 11 a.m. Saturday, Eversource crews continue working urgently on the final 1,800 outages in Branford.

'Our employees have done a tremendous job repairing damage and restoring power after this destructive storm,' said Eversource Vice President of Electric Operations Mike Hayhurst. 'Thanks to the team effort of these line and tree crews and support personnel working hard behind the scenes, we were able to achieve our goal of restoring power to the vast majority of customers by last night and we continue working urgently to restore power to the remaining customers affected by this storm. We know how tough it is for customers to be without power and we greatly appreciate their patience.'

Eversource crews continue to focus on the remaining single or scattered outages. These are more complex outages that take additional time to complete and may require assistance from a private electrician or contractor. Lineworkers are going to each of these individual locations to assess what additional equipment or effort may be required to make repairs.

With the continuing potential for trees weakened by the strong winds to fall onto power lines, Eversource reminds customers to stay away from any downed wires and to report them to 911 right away. Customers can report an outage online at www.eversource.com, or by calling 800-286-2000.

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 2020 and recognized as one of America's Most JUST Companies and the #1 utility by Forbes and JUST Capital. Eversource transmits and delivers electricity to 1.25 million customers in 149 cities and towns, provides natural gas to 237,000 customers in 74 communities, and supplies water to approximately 198,000 customers in 51 communities across Connecticut. Eversource harnesses the commitment of approximately 8,300 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 Taskey Modifica
860-665-4605
tricia.modifica@eversource.com

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

After hours -
Al Lara
(800) 789-2290
Albert.lara@eversource.com

###

Attachments

  • Original document
  • Permalink

Disclaimer

Eversource Energy published this content on 29 August 2020 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 31 August 2020 07:14:09 UTC