WALTHAM, MA – National Grid is responding to a powerful storm impacting Massachusetts today, bringing gusting winds and heavy rain into the region.

The primary concerns associated with this storm are the strong winds of up to 45 mph, including the potential for hazardous wind gusts of up to 55 mph in coastal areas and 70 mph on Nantucket. Strong wind gusts can damage trees and knock down power wires, causing power outages across the region. Heavy rain is anticipated through much of the day, and winds are expected to recede later today.

As of 11:15 a.m., approximately 180,000 customers were without power. Since the start of the event last night, over 40,000 customers have had their power restored.

"National Grid has secured additional crews and personnel across Massachusetts to respond as quickly and safely as possible to damage from this storm," said Tim Moore, Vice President for Electric Operations for New England. “We remain focused on public safety today as our line and forestry workers work to assess and repair power systems in affected communities. Our crews will be working to restore power to affected areas as quickly and safely as we can.”

Field personnel in Massachusetts are first responding to emergency 911 and wires down calls and prioritizing critical care facilities. Crews will then assess damage, clear trees, and make repairs to electrical infrastructure wherever conditions are safe to do so.

As always, the safety of our customers, communities, and crews is the top priority during any power restoration process. Our crews will begin the restoration process when it is deemed safe to conduct work. For example, it is not safe to work in an elevated bucket during periods of increased wind gusts.

National Grid has secured nearly 500 field-based crews and over 1,400 personnel to respond to the impact of this multi-day restoration event as part of the company's emergency response operations. This includes overhead line, forestry, contractors, underground, damage assessment, wires down, transmission, and substation workers.

The company is continuing to monitor the weather and communicating with local officials, first responders, and life support customers.

The company offers the following tips and reminders:

Customers Should Stay Connected:  

• Report power outages at www.nationalgridus.com or call 1-800-465-1212.
• Use your mobile device to track outage information and storm-related safety tips through National Grid’s mobile site, accessible at www.ngrid.com/mobile.
• Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram; we post all the latest storm and restoration updates.
• Track outages and estimated restoration times at www.nationalgridus.com/outage-central
• To stay connected during storms and outages, text to 64743 using any of the below commands.
• REG to sign up for text alerts
• OUT to report an outage
• SUM followed by your town, county, or state to get a summary of outages in your area
• HELP for the complete list of commands 

Stay Safe: 

• Never touch downed power lines, and always assume that any fallen lines are live electric wires. If you see one, report it immediately to National Grid or your local emergency response organization. 
• Power problems can sometimes interrupt public water supply systems or disable well pumps, so it’s an excellent idea to keep a supply of bottled drinking water handy, as well as some canned food. 
• People who depend on electric-powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should let National Grid know. To register as a life support customer, call the company’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-322-3223. 
• Check on elderly family members, neighbors, and others who may need assistance during an outage.   

Electric Safety:

• If you use a generator to supply power during an outage, be sure to operate it outdoors. Before operating generators, disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could jeopardize the safety of line crews and the public. 
• If you lose power, turn off any appliances that were on when the power went off, but leave one light on so you will know when power is restored. 

Gas Safety:

• If you suspect a natural gas leak:
• Get Out - All occupants should leave the house immediately. Do not use the telephone or light switches for any reason.
• Call Us – After leaving the house and reaching a safe environment, call the National Grid 24-hour gas emergency number for Massachusetts: 1-800-233-5325
• Stay Out - Do not return to your home until National Grid tells you it is safe.

About National Grid

National Grid (NYSE: NGG) is an electricity, natural gas, and clean energy delivery company serving more than 20 million people through our networks in New York and Massachusetts. National Grid is focused on building a smarter, stronger, cleaner energy future — transforming our networks with more reliable and resilient energy solutions to meet state climate goals and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.