GMP Issues Safety Warning, Reminding People to Stay Away from All Downed Lines
29 October 2017
COLCHESTER, Vt. – Green Mountain Power continues to make extensive preparations for the severe winds predicted for late Sunday resulting from a strong low pressure system which will also pulls effects from Tropical Storm Phillipe off the east coast. Forecasters say gusts over 65-70 miles per hour are expected to knock down trees and branches across the state causing outages. The windstorm will hit Southern Vermont first around 9 pm, with the strongest winds predicted overnight after midnight, across the state.
“This forecast for winds are comparable to a storm in 2012 which resulted in more than 48,000 customers losing power for up to three days,” said Dorothy Schnure, Green Mountain Power spokesperson. “In addition to our dedicated GMP crews who are prepared, we have arranged for additional contract crews to help us restore power as quickly and safely as possible once this storm strikes.”
Crews will be available in all parts of the state to begin to restore outages as they happen. If winds are in excess of 65-70 miles per hour, GMP crews may need to adjust their response in order to protect their own safety.
“This is a fast-moving storm and will be one of the most significant wind events we have seen in recent years,” said Roger Hill, of Weathering Heights Forecasting and Data Service. “The forecast is for a down sloping event with winds that will be fast moving. I have been updating all utilities to prepare there could be outages from this strong wind event.”
The storm could also bring rainfall up to three inches, so Green Mountain Power has prepared for rising water by drawing down ponds behind hydro facilities.Safety in a wind storm like this is critical. GMP is warning people should stay away from all downed lines.
“Keeping the public safe while we restore power is our top priority, and we remind people to stay away from all downed lines or quickly moving water,” said Schnure.
To prepare for a storm, be sure your mobile phone is fully charged and have the following on hand:
- A battery-powered flashlight
- A portable radio
- Extra batteries
- Bottled water
- If using a generator, read and follow the owner’s manual before starting it. Never operate a generator inside any structure or near a structure. Use a transfer switch to ensure electricity is not accidentally fed onto a line where line crews must work.
- Keep freezers and refrigerators closed as much as possible to prevent food spoilage.
- If power goes out, turn off all electrical appliances except one light so you’ll know when service returns. Then, turn equipment back on slowly.
- Never use grills inside garages, sheds or other buildings, as the fumes can be poisonous.
For additional safety information and to prepare for the storm and outages, customers can visit: http://www.gmpsnapshot.greenmountainpower.com/learn/safety-guide/
Green Mountain Power will provide updates on Facebook, Twitter and to the media. Customers may report outages and get updates through GMP’s text service or app, as well as calling 1-888-835-4672, or visiting GMP’s Outage Center page at www.gmpsnapshot.greenmountainpower.com.
To get the latest information on outages and restoration times, customers can sign up for text service alerts, by texting REG to 46788 or GMPVT, or signing up online at gmpsnapshot.greenmountainpower.com/textalerts. Customers can also sign up for GMP’s app to report outages with a touch of a finger at the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and search for GMP.
About Green Mountain Power:
Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and is partnering with Vermonters to improve lives and transform communities. GMP is focused on a new way of doing business to meet the needs of customers with integrated energy services that help people use less energy and save money, while continuing to generate clean, cost-effective and reliable power in Vermont. GMP is the first utility in the world to get a B Corp certification, meeting rigorous social, environmental, accountability and transparency standards and committing to use business as a force for good. In 2014, Vote Solar named GMP a Solar Champion. More information at: www.gmpsnapshot.greenmountainpower.com. Connect with GMP on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GreenMtnPower.
Kristin Carlson
Green Mountain Power
(802) 229-8200