Eversource and United Illuminating said they have been preparing for potential impacts in Connecticut since Tropical Storm Henri.
Eversource President and CEO Joe Nolan said the company classifies the storm as a Level 3 event, meaning up to 49% of its customers could be without electricity for up to 10 days.
“We just declared level 3, you have to be prepared for an energy loss of up to five or ten days at level 3,” Nolan said.
“This is going to be a very important storm,” Nolan said.
Eversource said it has secured more than 300 line crews and 250 tree crews in Connecticut, currently with another 620 line crew who will be here before the storm begins on Sunday. The company also said it is working to get help from the mid-Atlantic states. Eversource is working to incorporate up to 4,000 crews, a record for the company, Nolan said.
Nolan said he has canceled the holiday for Eversource workers and is preparing the biggest response to a storm he has seen.
“Eversource is well prepared,” Nolan said in a briefing Friday.
Ask customers to “be patient, be prepared.” Nolan said the slow pace of the storm and the possibility that it could stagnate in the area is worrisome.
The utility said it would activate emergency response protocols on Sunday morning in anticipation of 1,500-10,000 problem points.
“We have been closely monitoring various storm forecasts for several days and are actively engaged in our emergency response preparedness efforts so that, if necessary, we are prepared to respond and quickly restore energy to our customers,” he said. Eversource President of Regional Electrical Operations Craig Hallstrom in a statement Thursday.
United Illuminating said it has twice the size of the field crew staff, including line workers, tree trimming and pre-storm retreat equipment. The company plans to have additional resources throughout the weekend.
United Illuminating said customers with critical, energy-dependent medical conditions should call 800-722-5584 as soon as possible.
Eversource said customers can report outages online or by calling 800-286-2000.
Illuminating United outages can be reported online or by calling 800-722-5584.