Forecasters Predicting High Winds and Gusts Topping 65 MPH
15 April 2018
COLCHESTER, Vt. – Green Mountain Power is positioned to respond to outages as the National Weather Service forecasts high wind gusts and widespread damage that could rival the severe October 2017 wind storm that knocked out power to 130,000 customers. GMP has brought in external crews, doubling its workforce to get the lights back on if needed.
Forecasters say high winds will hit the southern part of the state first just after midnight Sunday and continue through late Monday, impacting Vermont from the Massachusetts border up to the Canadian border. Gusts topping 65 MPH are forecasted along the western slopes of the Green Mountains, especially in Rutland, Bennington, parts of Windsor and Windham, Addison, Chittenden and Franklin counties.
“We are hoping for the best, but we are actively preparing for outages. The wind speed forecast we are seeing from the National Weather Service is similar to the October 2017 storm in which 130,000 customers were affected,” said Mary Powell, President and CEO of Green Mountain Power. “We have crews positioned to respond as quickly and safely as possible,” she said.
GMP is encouraging customers to prepare for possible outages and to stay well away from any downed lines. 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 storm safety tips go to: http://www.greenmountainpower.com/community/safety/be-safe-in-a-storm/
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 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. Customers may also report outages by calling 1-888-835-4672, or visiting GMP’s Outage Center page at www.greenmountainpower.com
About Green Mountain Power
About Green Mountain Power Green Mountain Power (GMP) serves approximately 265,000 residential and business customers in Vermont and is partnering with customers 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.greenmountainpower.com. Connect with GMP on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @GreenMtnPower.
Kristin Kelly, Green Mountain Power
802-318-0872
[email protected]