WALTHAM, MA —  National Grid is preparing for a winter storm expected to bring strong winds and accumulating snow to Eastern Massachusetts, Cape Cod and Nantucket on Sunday and Monday.

The amount of snowfall and wind intensity will depend on the storm’s final track, which National Grid has been monitoring closely for several days.  In advance of the weather, the Company has pre-staged crews, equipment, and materials in areas forecasted to experience the most significant impacts, including deploying additional personnel and resources to Nantucket.

Current forecasts call for 5 to 10 inches of snow on Nantucket, with 4 to 10 inches expected along the South Coast and South Shore. Strong winds are also anticipated across Eastern Massachusetts, with potential peak gusts between 45 and 65 mph. A trace to 3 inches of snow is expected across Western and Central Massachusetts.

High winds can damage trees and bring down power lines, resulting in outages. Light snow may continue through Monday before conditions improve. Below normal temperatures and low wind chills will persist throughout the period. Over the past week, with temperatures in the single digits, National Grid has been keeping gas customers warm with safe and reliable gas service bolstered by reserves of liquefied natural gas.

“Our crews and contractors are fully prepared to respond as this storm develops, and we’re ready to support customers should outages occur,” said Shaun Vacher, Vice President of Electric Operations, New England. “With cold temperatures expected to continue, we will work as safely and quickly as conditions allow to restore service.”

National Grid will continuously monitor all infrastructure for risks from minor to moderate coastal flooding along the Eastern Massachusetts coast from the storm.

National Grid will remain in close communications with state and local officials, emergency management agencies, and public safety partners to provide updates on preparations, share safety guidance, and coordinate response efforts. As the forecast evolves, the Company will continue to assess resource needs and stay in contact with first responders, critical facilities and life support customers.

National Grid is also keeping customers informed through social media, traditional media, text alerts, and its website.

As always, the safety of customers, communities, and crews is National Grid’s highest priority. Should outages occur, restoration work will begin as soon as conditions are deemed safe. Certain weather conditions — such as periods of strong wind gusts — may make it unsafe for crews to work in elevated bucket trucks.

National Grid offers the following precautions and recommendations:

Health and Safety

• Be alert for signs of hypothermia, especially among older adults, infants, and those in colder indoor environments; call for medical help immediately if symptoms appear.
• Clear all vents of snow and ice to prevent equipment malfunction and the buildup of dangerous carbon monoxide.
• Remove icicles and snowbanks around meters and pipes to avoid damage that could lead to gas leaks.
• If energy equipment is located near a driveway or parking lot, and you have a vehicle-mounted snowplow or use a snow removal service, ensure that the equipment is well-marked so the vehicle operator knows to keep a safe distance. Striking a natural gas riser or electric wire with a plow could cause injury.
• Ensure carbon monoxide safety by installing CO detectors, checking heating systems and chimneys, and never using stoves, generators, or vehicles in enclosed spaces.
• If you smell gas, act fast—leave immediately, avoid using switches or phones, and call 911 or National Grid’s emergency number from a safe location.
  
  

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.
  
  

Preparation

• 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.

For more information, please visit our website, follow us on X, watch us on YouTube, like us on Facebook and find us on Instagram.