CL&P Emergency Preparedness and Response Briefing
Tuesday, November 26, 2013, 11:30 a.m.

CL&P Preparing for Heavy Rain and High Winds

Operational Status: Monitor

OVERVIEW AND SYSTEM STATUS
·        Rain and high winds in Connecticut later today, Tuesday, November 26, are anticipated to be heaviest starting around midnight through noon Wednesday, November 27.  The weather will start as a wintry mix in the northwest corner of the state between 6 – 8 p.m. tonight.  The winds will pick up again late Wednesday and will last through Thursday evening.  Rainfall could reach 2 – 4 inches, with isolated higher amounts.  There is a potential for flooding.  Sustained wind speeds of 15 – 25 mph are expected, with gusts of 40 – 50 mph.  The weather will affect the entire state, with the highest winds near the seacoast and in the Eastern Division towns.
·        CL&P prepares for severe weather every day and is poised to respond to any potential impacts from this storm.
·        We are particularly sensitive to the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday and have crews and support personnel in place throughout the state, ready to respond to potential outages.

PLANNING

Line workers
  • 130 CL&P        crews (260 workers)
  • 9 System        Projects crews (18 workers)
  • 45        contractor crews (90 workers)
Tree
  • 160 crews (320 workers)

·        There are winter storm warnings in northern New England, so CL&P’s sister companies may be affected by stormy weather as well.
·        Storm safety messaging was sent out to CL&P management employees this morning, to be shared with all field employees and contractors.
·        For driving safety, avoid standing water in low-lying areas, prevent hydroplaning by slowing down on wet roads, and watch for wet leaves and debris on all roadways.

LOGISTICS
·        Storm rooms across CL&P’s service territory are ready for activation, as needed.
·        Equipment stocking and vehicle fueling are under way today.

OPERATIONS
·        MONITOR MODE: Conditions exists that present a potential risk, but pose no immediate threat, to CL&P operations or service to customers.
·        CL&P transmission and distribution systems are expected to be in normal configuration by close of business today.
·        CL&P’s Emergency Operations Center will be staffed starting at 5 a.m. on Wednesday, November 27.

PUBLIC INFORMATION
·        CL&P’s Emergency Coordination staff will be providing a Storm Briefing to communities today, including the Connecticut Department of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, towns, and regulators.
·        To report an outage, call 800-286-2000 or visit www.cl-p.com.
·        Customer reminders, in the event of outages, include: safety around downed wires and proper generator use.  For safety tips, go to www.cl-p.com.
·        For restoration updates:
–        Visit the Storm Center at www.cl-p.com
–        Follow us on Twitter @CTLightandPower
–        Like us on Facebook at facebook.com/ctlightandpower