In the wake of a powerful early spring storm, New Hampshire is grappling with widespread power outages that have plunged tens of thousands into darkness. As of the evening hours of Saturday, over 39,000 customers were left without electricity, according to the New Hampshire Department of Safety, Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, as stated in a report by Boston 25 News. With the power out, the Department urged residents to steer clear from downed wires, advising instead to report them by dialing 911.
By Sunday morning, the situation grew direr with the number of reported outages peaking at around 76,000 according to WMUR. Eversource, one of the primary utility providers in the region, announced that they had managed to restore service to 48,000 customers, attributing swift recoveries to smart switch technology. Eversource said they have hundreds of crews addressing the damage, and additional out-of-state workers were en route to assist.
The Department of Safety has issued several recommendations to ensure residents' safety during the outages. The use of flashlights over candles, the proper placement of generators outside at least 20 feet from buildings, and the avoidance of using gas ranges or ovens as heating sources were all advisories shared by Boston 25 News. Impacted residents were also reminded to report power outages every 24 hours to their respective providers.
With outages wreaking havoc, authorities caution against the dangers of carbon monoxide poisoning from improper generator use. If suspicions arise about this invisible threat, occupants should leave the premises immediately and call 911, followed by the state poison center at 1-800-222-1222. As emphasized by WMUR, generators should be professionally connected to house wiring and operate a safe distance away, ensuring the health and well-being of those weathering the storm's aftermath.
