As Massachusetts braces for extreme cold and a potentially major snowstorm this weekend, utility crews have been preparing for increased demand and the risk of outages.
Frigid temperatures are expected Saturday into Sunday, with more than a foot of snow expected to fall Sunday into Monday in much of New England.
At an Eversource gate station in Needham Thursday, crews were focused on keeping natural gas flowing as temperatures drop.
“Supply is constrained, demand is going to be the highest it is all year,” said Dan Henry, Eversource’s instrumentation and regulation director for the area.
Gate stations reduce pressure and heat, preparing natural gas before it’s delivered to homes and businesses. That heating process is especially critical during extreme cold when equipment can freeze and limit supply.
At the same time, electric crews are preparing for snow and wind that could knock out power, particularly in coastal communities.
“Our largest cause of outages on the overhead distribution system is tree limbs,” said Douglas Foley, president of Eversource’s Massachusetts electric operations.
Eversource is bringing in additional crews, staffing call centers, and pre-positioning teams in areas expected to see the heaviest snowfall.
“We’re pre-positioned in some of these areas where the snow’s going to hit, so we can respond to any outages as quickly as possible for our customers,” Foley said.
Eversource urges everyone to prepare by charging devices, keeping flashlights on hand and having a plan for your family.
If you notice a gas smell, appliances acting abnormally, or lose power, report it immediately to your utility company.
If you come across a downed power line at any point, stay away from it and report it to 911 or the local utility company immediately.
