With a major rebranding slated for Feb. 2, Northeast Utilities can’t love the timing for the forecasted “crippling and potentially historic blizzard,” to hit its territory in Connecticut and Massachusetts between Monday afternoon and Wednesday.
The National Weather Service said Connecticut will be hit with up to three feet of snow and blizzard conditions through Wednesday morning, which could knock out power to some homes. NU subsidiary Connecticut Light & Power sent out automated phone calls and emails to customers Sunday evening, asking them to report outages, stay away from downed power lines, and stock up on necessary medications and supplies.
NU took heavy criticism for its slow response to multiple major storms in 2011 that left some residents without power for more than a week. The company is planning to unveil a major rebranding next week that includes a name change to Eversource Energy.
“Customers are encouraged to prepare for prolonged outages that may result from the storm,” CL&P said.
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Monday declared a state of emergency for all of Connecticut, and also issued a travel ban that will start at 9 p.m.
United Illuminating Co., which provides service in parts of New Haven and Fairfield counties, said it, too, is readying crews and contractors and has asked customers to prepare for outages.
“We’ve been tracking this storm closely since late last week, and making sure our crews and equipment are ready and appropriately positioned to respond quickly and effectively,” CEO James P. Torgerson, said in a statement. “As always, we are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best.”
NWS issued a blizzard alert early Monday predicting as much as 30 inches of snow for Hartford, Tolland, and Windham counties.
NWS also said 18 to 24 inches could fall in northern New Haven County, northern Middlesex County, southern Fairfield County and southern New London County.
