WALTHAM, MA – National Grid is prepared for a major winter storm expected to impact Massachusetts Sunday through Monday, bringing significant snow to the region during a period of sub-freezing temperatures.

Storm forecasts indicate the likelihood of more than 12 inches of snow in some regions of Massachusetts and wind chill temperatures between -10 and -25 degrees. Accumulating snow can lead to sagging powerlines and tree limbs that contribute to power outages. Forecasts call for reduced visibility and snow-covered roads, making travel difficult Sunday night into Monday.

"National Grid has been tracking this storm for several days and we have crews and personnel ready to respond to any impacts," said Shaun Vacher, Vice President of Electric Operations, New England. "In the event of outages, our crews and support teams will be working for as long as needed to restore service as quickly and safely as conditions allow.”

National Grid has prepared for the storm by securing additional crews and personnel as part of the company's emergency response operations and preparedness activities. This includes overhead and underground line workers for distribution and transmission restoration, tree trimming crews, damage assessment and wires down personnel, and substation workers. As forecasts evolve, the company will continue to assess resource needs.

Ahead of the storm, National Grid will pre-stage crews, equipment, and materials in areas anticipated to be most severely impacted. National Grid will also remain in contact with state and local officials as well as emergency management personnel to keep them updated on preparations and provide safety information.

National Grid is also in contact with customers through traditional and social media channels, email, and texts, and online, providing safety and preparation information.

As always, the safety of customers, communities, and crews is the top priority during any power restoration process. Should outages occur, crews will begin the restoration process when it is deemed safe to conduct work. Weather conditions, such as periods of increased wind gusts, can make it unsafe to work in an elevated bucket position.

The company has been preparing for the storm and continues monitoring 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:

• Sign up to receive alerts via text, phone call, or email when an outage occurs.
• For email or phone alerts: Login to your account and update your preferences.
• Customers can text REG to 64743 to get text alerts.
• Like us on Facebook and follow us on X and Instagram; we post all the latest storm and restoration updates.
• Track outages and estimated restoration times at www.nationalgridus.com/outage-central.

Downed Powerline Safety:

• 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.
• Stay at least 30 feet away (at least two full pole spans) from all downed wires and keep others from going near them. Never attempt to clear debris, perform maintenance, or try to move downed power lines.
• Never touch a person or an object that is in contact with a downed line, as electricity can pass through to you.
• Take caution when approaching fallen trees, which could have power lines caught in them.
• Remember that water can conduct electricity. If you see a line down in a puddle or flooded area, avoid contact with the water to prevent risk of shock.
• Make safety your top priority when you see a downed wire. Call 911 or National Grid at 1-800-465-1212 to report it immediately and keep yourself and others away from the scene. To learn more about downed power line safety, please visit ngrid.com/ma-powerlinesafety.

Stay Safe:

• Power problems can sometimes interrupt public water supply systems or disable well pumps, so keeping a supply of bottled drinking water on hand, as well as some canned food, is recommended.
• 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.
• If the power is out, use flashlights or other battery-powered lights. Do not use candles, which can pose a fire hazard.
• Please use caution when driving near emergency responders and crews restoring power.

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) delivers electricity and natural gas to more than 20 million people across New York and Massachusetts. We’re committed to meeting our customers’ energy needs and supporting economic growth across the regions we serve—providing safe, reliable energy today and building the resilient networks of the future. National Grid Ventures, our commercial business, develops and operates infrastructure that delivers affordable and reliable energy to consumers. National Grid Partners, our corporate investment and innovation arm, invests in and collaborates with technology companies that are transforming the energy sector and accelerating industry-wide innovation.