News Release
WMECo Prepares for an Active 2013 Hurricane Season
Springfield, Mass. (June 24, 2013) – With hurricane season officially upon us, the National Weather Service is predicting it will be an active one and WMECo stands prepared. Our region is prone to a wide range of harsh weather conditions, including severe hurricanes. While hurricanes typically hit the northeast in early fall, WMECo is always ready to repair the electric grid and restore power at any time of year.
“Emergency preparedness is our year-round mission,” explained Peter Clarke, WMECo President and COO. “WMECo has been pro-actively identifying and removing hazard trees and clearing vegetation that can pose a threat to the electric system, especially during severe weather. We also regularly upgrade the system to make it more resilient against storm damage as we prepare for the arrival of severe weather.”
WMECo performs a comprehensive review every month of its storm centers across the communities it serves, ensuring the equipment and technology necessary for storm response are ready. The company also regularly verifies that employees have up-to-date training and are prepared to respond when needed.
Even the healthiest trees can come down in a storm, increasing the risk that severe weather may bring down power lines. WMECo reminds everyone to treat all downed wires as live and dangerous. Anyone coming across a downed line should stay clear and call the company at 1-877-OK-WMECO. Read more about what to do if power lines come down on WMECo’s website: