National Grid Responding to Blizzard of 2013

Submitted by National Grid

In the Blizzard of 2013 hit New England with full force yesterday and through this morning, delivering up to two feet of snow and hurricane force winds, National Grid met the storm with a full complement of crews, plans and preparations. The storm left significant damage in some areas, particularly southern Rhode Island and the South Shore and southeastern MA. At the height of the storm, a total of more than 350,000 customers were without power in both states. As of 3 p.m. today, that number was reduced to approximately 307,000 customers – 131,000 in Mass. and 176,000 in Rhode Island.

The high winds and horizontal snow generated more than 2,000 reports of wires down in Rhode Island and 1,400 in Massachusetts. National Grid’s high-voltage transmission system in both states also sustained significant damage. These are the lines that deliver power from generating stations to communities; they serve large numbers of customers.

In total, National Grid has more than 2,000 crews – including in-house personnel and crews from 26 states and two Canadian provinces – dedicated to the restoration effort. Crews are in the field addressing National Grid’s first priority – downed wires. Other personnel are conducting damage assessment, and still others are working to restore power to the transmission lines, some of which are in very remote areas. Continued high wind gusts, along with impassible roads are creating challenging conditions for the workers in the field. Crews are working with the National Guard and local communities to get access to these areas.

According to Kathy Lyford, vice president of New England Operations for National Grid, all Massachusetts customers outside of Norfolk and Plymouth counties should have power within 24 hours. Given the extensive damage to the electric system in Norfolk and Plymouth counties in Massachusetts and across Rhode Island, it will be at least a few days before all customers will have their power back in those areas. As the damage assessors continue to report in, Lyford expects to have estimated restoration times for the two hardest hit Massachusetts counties and Rhode Island later today. It is important to note that these “ETRs” will reflect the timing of when the final customers will be restored. Customers will get their power back on an ongoing basis in the meantime.

“As the storm exits and we begin our restoration efforts, we do so with safety for our employees and our customers first and foremost in our minds,” said Kathy Lyford, vice president, New

England Operations, National Grid. “With so many lines down as a result of the high winds and wind-blown snow, we urge our customers to use caution and not approach any downed lines.” Lyford continued, “We are working hand in hand with state and local officials so that we can restore power as quickly and safely as possible, and we appreciate our customers’ patience.”

Our emergency crews use a standard procedure to begin restoring service as safely and quickly as conditions allow following a major storm. Accurate damage surveys, resource assessments and restoration estimates are critical first stages, while transparent and consistent communications to National Grid customers, local officials and the media is maintained.

First, crews clear away hazards such as live, downed lines. The clean-up of storm-damaged trees and branches removed from our electric facilities remains the responsibility of the customer or property owner, whether private or municipal.

Next come repairs to main transmission facilities, including towers, poles and high-tension wires that deliver power from generating plants.

Recovery work at local substations is also a high priority, because power flows from transmission lines through substations on its way to you.

Circuits and transformers in neighborhoods and the wires that connect them to your home come next—starting with areas that involve the most customers.

While waiting for your power to return, please know that we’re doing everything we can to restore electric service as quickly as possible.