Utility companies warn residents to be prepared for potential outages as storm approaches

WEST BRIDGEWATER, MASS. (WHDH) - Utility crews are warning Massachusetts residents to be prepared for potential power outages as the Bay State braces for over a foot of snow in some areas.

National Grid and Eversource prepositioned crews in areas throughout the Commonwealth just in case the lights do go out.

National Grid has called in more than 220 additional line crews and 200 forestry crews to assist with the restoration efforts.  Over 1,800 field-based workers will be activated across New England as part of our emergency response operations. This includes forestry, contractors, underground, damage assessment, wires down, transmission, and substation workers.

Eversource officials said they would be upping their number of crews by bringing employees in from across the country — but still adhering to social distancing guidelines.

“We are going to be prepositioned and prestaged throughout the state with multiple crews,” Eversourse spokesperson Reid Lamberty said. “We are ready to respond safely and quickly as soon as the storm necessitates.”

Those utility officials recommended everyone charge their devices ahead of time for the very real possibility the winter storm knocks out the power.

In West Bridgewater, Department of Public Works crews spent Wednesday fine-tuning all the snow removal equipment.

“At a certain point if it lets up a little bit we can put down some salt and keep everything going,” DPW employee Shawn Anderson said. “We have to just keep going when mother nature brings it and we have to do our job, you know?”

Bettencourt’s employee Jay Soares said he barely had time to catch his breath as generator sales boomed ahead of the storm. Many with visions of outages dancing in their heads.

“It’s just nice to have that peace of mind when the storm is coming that you will be able to continue with power and go on like normal,” he said.

As a reminder, people should never touch downed power lines and any generators should be operated outside away from the home.

Those who use gas are urged to check their vents.

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