More than 28,000 customers remain without power
CONCORD, N.H. – With another storm approaching, the New Hampshire Department of Safety’s Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (HSEM) and the NH State Fire Marshal’s Office urge residents, communities and businesses to take action.
· Belknap, Merrimack, Strafford and Sullivan counties are under a Winter Storm Warning from 3 p.m. Wednesday to 10 a.m. Thursday. Snow accumulations are expected to be between 6 and 10 inches and ice accumulations between 1 and two-tenths of an inch. Possible wind gusts could be as high as 40 mph.
· Carroll, Coos and Grafton counties are under a Winter Storm Warning from 7 p.m. Wednesday to 3 p.m. Thursday. Snow accumulations are expected to be between 6 and 10 inches and ice accumulations between 1 and two-tenths of an inch. Possible wind gusts could be as high as 40 mph.
· Cheshire, Hillsborough and Rockingham counties are under a Winter Weather Advisory from 3 p.m. Wednesday to 7 a.m. Thursday. Snow accumulations are expected to be between 3 and 6 inches with possible wind gusts as high as 40 mph.
“Act now to keep you and your family safe,” said HSEM Director Robert Buxton. “Refresh supplies in your emergency kit if you need to, and stay informed by monitoring local weather reports.”
With several communities receiving more than a foot of snow Monday into Tuesday, it’s important to clear roofs of ice and snow.
“Heavy snow can put stress on roofs,” said State Fire Marshal Sean Toomey. “If you have more than a foot of heavy, wet snow on your roof, now is the time to take action to safely remove it, to prevent potential structural damage or collapse.”
As of 4 p.m., more than 28,000 customers remain without power from the most recent storm as utility crews continue to work around the clock to restore service.
Report power outages to your utility provider every 24 hours until it is restored:
Eversource 1-800-662-7764
Liberty Utilities 1-855-349-9455
NH Electric Co-Op 1-800-343-6432
Unitil 1-888-301-7700
Director Buxton and State Fire Marshal Toomey also makes the following safety recommendations:
· Stay informed by signing up for NH Alerts and monitoring National Weather Service radio or broadcast weather reports.
· Find the latest road conditions at newengland511.org.
· Drivers should be alert for crews clearing debris and use caution. Never drive around barriers or remove them from closed roadways.
· Consider working or schooling from home so that crews can safely clear the roads.
· Slow down and move over for emergency vehicles and never crowd the plow.
· Clear all snow and ice off your car, including your roof, around lights, and license plates before traveling.
· Bridges, overpasses, and exposed road areas are the most prone to slippery conditions.
· Plan two ways out of your home in case of emergency.
· Clear the driveway and front walk from ice and snow. This will provide easy access to your home.
· Use flashlights, rather than candles, for emergency lighting.
· Do not use a gas range or oven as an alternate source of heat.
· Only use a generator that has been wired to the building electrical service by a professional electrician.
· Never run a generator inside a building or in an enclosed space and keep them 10 feet away from buildings with the exhaust pointed away. Do not run a generator in the garage, even if the door is open, because carbon monoxide can still build up to very dangerous levels, very quickly.
· Make sure your house number can be seen from the street. If you need help, emergency responders will be able to find you.
· Stay away from downed wires and call 9-1-1.
· Be ready if the heat stops working. Use extra layers of clothes and blankets to stay warm. If you use an emergency heat source, keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away.
· Turn portable heaters off when you leave the room. Also turn them off when you go to bed.
· Check on neighbors and others who may need help.
Learn more about power outage safety at ReadyNH.gov.