News Release
WMECo Continues Damage Assessment, High Priority Restorations in the Wake of Historic Nor’easter
More than 140,000 customers without power, multi-day restoration expected
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., October 30, 2011 – Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo) is continuing its damage assessment, clearing roads, stabilizing the electric system and high priority restorations in the wake of the worst storm to ever strike the western Massachusetts region.
More than 140,000 customers are without power as of 2:00 p.m. Sunday, believed to be the largest number of customers ever affected by a storm in the WMECo service territory. Approximately 14,000 customers have been restored. WMECo said it expects some customers may be without power for up to a week. The most extensive damage is in the Greater Springfield, Amherst and Greenfield areas. Damage in the Berkshire County towns was relatively light.
“The magnitude of this storm is unprecedented in terms of sheer widespread damage to our system,” said Peter J. Clarke, WMECo president and chief operating officer. “We are mobilizing all available resources to stabilize the system and restore service to our customers as safely and quickly as we possibly can. We know how difficult it is for our customers to be without power and we appreciate their patience,” Clarke said.
Because of the hazardous conditions that may still be present in neighborhoods, WMECo urges parents to exercise extreme caution in assessing the local safety environment relative to downed trees and wires before sending children out for Halloween Trick or Treating.
WMECo has secured the services of additional line and tree crews, and due to the regional nature of the storm, some are coming from as far away as Michigan.
Customers are reminded to stay at least 10 feet away from downed wires and treat all wires as live. For those customers using a generator, WMECo stresses the generator should be installed by a licensed electrician and should only be operated outdoors.
If you need to report an emergency or power outage, call 413-781-4300 within the Springfield area, or 877-OK-WMECO (877-659-6326) outside of the
Springfield calling area. When you call, please be prepared to provide your name, WMECo account number, telephone number, address and a description of outage issues.
Western Massachusetts Electric Company (WMECo), a Northeast Utilities company (NYSE:NU), transmits and delivers electricity to 210,000 customers in 59 cities and towns. For more information, please visit our website: