NPU preparing for extreme weather today and tonight – December 11, 2024

NORWICH – Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) has completed its standard pre-storm precautions ahead of strong winds and heavy rains expected to arrive in the region later today and into Wednesday evening.

NPU held an internal Leadership Team meeting to review and discuss their plans on Wednesday morning. The utility also participated in a meeting of the relevant department heads of the City of Norwich, including police, fire, public works as well as Uncas Health District and the city’s volunteer fire departments.

“We’re expecting a lot of rain and very strong winds this afternoon, but we are ready to go,” said Chris LaRose, General Manager of NPU. “Based on the forecasts from the National Weather Service, it is likely that we’ll have power outages this afternoon and tonight; we’re asking our customers to be patient as we respond as quickly – but safely – as we can.”

Over the past 24 hours, NPU has taken the following steps to prepare for the extreme weather:

  • Having all vehicles inspected and fueled
  • Confirming adequate supplies of all necessary materials and equipment
  • Assuring appropriate staffing for all critical functions of NPU including the Line and Natural Gas Departments, Water and Wastewater Divisions, Customer Service, Communications, GIS, Information Technology, as well as maintenance mechanics and engineers
  • Testing of all internal communications and external equipment
  • Having a contractor tree crews available on standby
  • Staging the City’s Emergency Operation’s Center so that it can be activated within minutes should it become necessary.

NPU reminds customers that anyone that relies on equipment powered by electricity for critical health conditions should have an alternate source of energy as a precaution; anyone dependent on electricity for essential healthcare issues should call 9-1-1 whenever in doubt.

And most importantly, anyone who sees a downed power line should assume it is energized and a potentially lethal hazard; stay as far away from any downed wire and report it to 9-1-1 immediately.