Conn. Brings in Outside Workers to Help With Debby Recovery

(TNS) – Eversource, the largest utility company in the state, said it is preparing for problems that could arise from from the remnants of Tropical Storm Debby.

The state is expected to get hit with high winds and heavy rain Friday night into Saturday. These conditions can down tree limbs onto power lines, causing outages.

The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory on Thursday evening covering all coastal counties. It said those areas are expected to see winds between 15 and 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph expected.

In a briefing Thursday morning, the NWS said that isolated severe thunderstorms with damaging winds and brief tornadoes were possible.

Flooding and the severity of the weather will depend on Debby’s path, as well as the speed of an approaching cold front, according to the weather service.

As part of Eversource’s preparations, it said it is bringing in outside lineworkers to assist with power restoration. Crews are also preparing equipment and vehicles to be ready in advance of the storm, the company said.

“We’re taking all necessary actions now to prepare and will have crews in position at our work centers throughout the state before the storm hits so they can get to any damage locations and restore power as quickly and safely as possible,” said Steve Sullivan, Eversource’s president of electric operations in Connecticut.

The company is also encouraging customers to prepare for the storm by assembling or restocking a storm kit. These kits should include essential items like flashlights, batteries, water, non-perishable foods, any needed medications, pet food and any other necessities. It also encouraged customers to charge their cell phones and devices prior to the storm, as well as review or create an emergency plan with family members and check on elderly neighbors and friends.

Anyone who sees a downed wire should report it to 911 and keep themselves and pets away, the company instructed.

Eversource customers can report outages online at www.Eversource.com or by calling 800-286-2000.

Customers of United Illuminating, which is the electrical company for 17 municipalities in Southern Connecticut, can report outages by going to www.UINet.com or by calling 800-722-5584.

The former tropical storm comes about a week after severe storms brought a microburst to northern Connecticut, tossing planes at the Simsbury Airport and knocking trees into a historic church in East Windsor. The thunderstorms and strong winds knocked out power to more than 11,000 people on Friday, though most were restored by noon Saturday.

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