Scattered power outages have affected communities across New Hampshire and Martha's Vineyard, prompted by high winds damaging electrical infrastructure. Eversource Energy has reported thousands of outages as gusts reached up to 50 mph.
On Thursday morning, Hooksett's Hackett Hill Road was partially closed after a heavy tree fell, bringing wires down with it. This unfortunate incident contributed to the growing number of customers losing power. Eversource spokesman William Hinkle stated, "We’re experiencing gusty winds across the state, which are bringing down trees and tree limbs, damaging the electric system and causing scattered power outages..."
Initial reports indicated around 3,783 customers without power, but this figure quickly ballooned to over 6,953 by noon, with the most significant outages reported from towns like Merrimack (547 customers), Goffstown (573), Auburn (498), Bedford (417), and Claremont (302).
The response teams from Eversource, which have been monitoring forecasts closely, remain at the ready to address the damages. Hinkle assured, "Crews are actively working to repair damage and restore power to impacted customers as quickly as safely possible as the hazardous winds persist."
The situation mirrored events on Martha's Vineyard, where falling tree limbs knocked out power for over 300 residents. Eversource's maps reflected significant outages with 250 customers from Chilmark and another 115 from West Tisbury affected. Eversource estimated restoring power to both areas—by 12:30 p.m. for Chilmark and by around 11:00 a.m. for West Tisbury.
Locally, traffic issues arose due to fallen trees. The Vineyard Transit Authority issued service advisories notifying travelers of disruptions; they explained, "Due to North Road being closed for a downed tree/power line, the Route 4 [bus] will not be able to access Menemsha Beach." The authority encouraged riders needing assistance to reach out.
Eversource crews were spotted at Old County Road directing traffic and trimming branches for safe restoration efforts. The incident highlighted the challenges faced during severe weather, as road closures impacted not only local transit but everyday activities.
Adding urgency to the circumstances, the National Weather Service issued wind advisories, cautioning residents of the persistent high winds expected to continue throughout the day. Their alerts are reminiscent of similar advisories issued on numerous occasions when winter storms sweep through.
Local communities were reminded of safety protocols and encouraged to report outages, emphasizing the need to stay clear of downed wires—a proactive reminder echoed during many outages. Customers were advised to report any downed wires immediately by calling 9-1-1 and to contact Eversource directly to report power outages through their online portal or customer service line.
For those who opted-in, Eversource's two-way texting feature provided another avenue for reporting outages and receiving timely updates, ensuring customers remained informed as issues unfolded. This feature has proven invaluable during past weather events.
Efforts by Eversource crews reflect their responsiveness to challenging weather conditions, diligently working against the clock to restore power. With the windy conditions forecasted to persist, impacted residents can only wait for the storm to pass and for their electricity to be restored.
Collectively, the incidents showcase the vulnerability faced by communities against nature's forces, especially when trees become unwieldy and threaten both power lines and public safety. Vigilance from both utility providers and residents is necessary to navigate the challenges brought by high winds.
Power restoration remains Eversource's top priority, as crews work tirelessly to tackle the damage caused by the twirling winds and fallen wires. While the challenges may be formidable, the commitment to ensuring service restoration continues to be their resolute mission.