Vermont Hit by Massive Wind Storm, Gusts Almost 80 MPH Overnight Causing Widespread Outages Across the State
- More than 45,000 homes and businesses affecting more than 112,500 GMP customers in all corners of the state. When you include all Vermonters served by other utilities, it’s about 1/3 of Vermonters affected by the storm without power.
- Conditions are extremely dangerous and many poles are broken, making repairs slow.
- More wind expected this afternoon could cause additional outages.
- Crews warn the public to stay clear of downed trees and power lines and call 911 if you see a line down .
30 October 2017
COLCHESTER, Vt. – Severe winds with gusts up to almost 80 MPH late Sunday and early Monday morning hit the east coast, including Vermont, very hard, causing broken poles and knocking down trees and branches onto lines all across the state. GMP has approximately 45,000 homes and businesses without power, impacting more than 112,500 people as of 7:00 a.m. The storm is the result of a strong low pressure system which also pulled effects from Tropical Storm Phillipe off the east coast. An army of more than 350 lineworkers, tree workers, and field teams will be working to repair all the damage.
“Crews are ready and mobilized to make repairs as quickly and safely as possible this morning and we expect additional crews, which were on standby from Canada and elsewhere in the region to join the effort as well,” said Kristin Carlson, VP of Strategic & External Affairs. “We are asking the public for patience as we expect more wind later today and more outages as a result. Safety of our crews and the public is our top priority and conditions are extremely dangerous.”
Strong winds and rain began Sunday and are expected to continue through Monday. Nearly every region of the state has been impacted so crews will be deployed across the state to make repairs. With more weather expected, GMP estimates repairs in some areas could take days, possibly through the week to complete.
“We urge Vermonters to stay clear of downed trees, branches and power lines and report them by calling 911,” Carlson continued. “We’ll keep the public and media informed as this storm progresses through regular press releases and updates on social media.”
For safety information, customers can visit: http://www.gmpsnapshot.greenmountainpower.com/learn/safety-guide/
Customers may report outages and get updates through GMP’s text service or app, as well as by calling 1-888-835-4672, or visiting GMP’s Outage Center 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 http://www.gmpsnapshot.greenmountainpower.com/textalerts. Customers can also download the GMP app at the App Store or Google Play Store to quickly and easily report outages.
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