BERLIN, Conn. (November 1, 2012) – CL&P continues to make significant progress restoring power to customers in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. As of 6:00 p.m., the company has restored service to over a half million customers.
“An around-the-clock restoration effort is underway and workers are doing everything they can to restore as many customers as quickly as possible,” said Bill Quinlan, CL&P Senior Vice President of Emergency Preparedness. “We expect the vast majority of customers will be restored by Monday or Tuesday of next week.”
Over 1,500 out-of-state line workers have come from as far as Texas and British Columbia to assist CL&P with the restoration effort. Workers have already cleared thousands of blocked roads and restored the majority of critical facilities. In severely damaged areas, these workers will need to completely rebuild entire sections of the electric system.
SAFETY FIRST
As the restoration continues, safety remains the top priority for CL&P workers and customers. CL&P reminds customers to be cautious while moving or cutting tree limbs and look carefully for any wires that may be entangled in debris. Customers should continue to treat all downed power lines, and tree limbs that are in contact with lines, as live and should stay at least 10 feet away.
Also, any customer using a generator should make sure it has been installed properly for their own safety, and the safety of line workers working to restore power. For important generator safety tips, check out CL&P’s “Using a Generator Safely” video on YouTube at http://youtu.be/IMD1pZc3EHM.
OUTAGE REPORTING & UPDATES
To report a power outage, call CL&P at 800-286-2000 or use the “Report an Outage” link at www.cl-p.com. As crews are dispatched to make specific repairs, the estimated restoration times for those repairs will be updated at this same phone number and under the “My Outage Status” link online. For tips and updates from CL&P, follow us on Twitter @CTLightandPower and like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ctlightandpower.