Freetown woke up to a rough start Tuesday after strong overnight winds sent trees and branches crashing down and knocked out power in scattered pockets around town. Residents reported limbs and debris littering local roads as police and public works crews hustled from call to call, asking drivers to slow down and take it easy. Officials had not yet released a townwide outage count by mid-morning, although problems appeared to be popping up in several different neighborhoods.
The Freetown Police Department said in a Facebook post that it had received "reports of downed trees and limbs and scattered power outages" as the wind pushed through town. Officers asked that residents report non-emergency outages directly to Eversource at 1-800-592-2000 or online, and not call dispatch for status updates so phone lines stay open for true emergencies. Anyone seeing immediate dangers such as downed wires or fires was told to call 9-1-1.
How to report outages and stay safe
Customers can check the interactive outage map maintained by Eversource for live outage numbers and estimated restoration times, then report problems by phone or through the utility's website. For statewide guidance on power outages and official resources, residents can visit the Massachusetts power outages information page. If the lights go out, the town is reminding people to keep refrigerator doors closed, have flashlights ready instead of candles, and never run generators indoors in order to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning.
Road hazards and emergency response
"Do not go near downed power lines or damaged electrical equipment," the department warned in its post, noting that cleanup crews and utility workers are out clearing roadways and restoring power. Anyone who comes across a downed wire should stay well back, avoid touching nearby objects that might be energized, and call 9-1-1. Non-emergency outage reports, the town stressed, belong with Eversource so first responders can focus on urgent calls.
Town officials said further updates will roll out on the department's social media accounts and through the utility as repairs continue, and asked for patience while crews work methodically to make each neighborhood safe. The town website notes that Facebook is one of its main channels for breaking news and alerts at Town of Freetown. Residents are reminded to call 9-1-1 for life-safety emergencies and to direct non-emergency power issues to the utility at the number provided by police.
