Green Mountain Power (GMP) has alerted customers to be alert to the forecast, as meteorologist predict a region-wide storm system bringing the possibility of strong winds that could take down trees and power lines, along with one to two inches of rain (possibly snow in the higher elevations) and the potential for localized flooding Thursday Dec. 31 into Friday, Jan 1.
GMP continues to track the storm closely and is urging customers to be safe.
“We want customers to be aware of possibility of outages and heavy rain this storm may bring. We follow multiple forecasts to be ready to respond as quickly and safely as possible. If winds are strong enough to take down trees and lines, it is so important for customers to stay far away from power lines, and always assume a downed line is still energized and a danger – call us,” said Mike Burke, chief of field operations at GMP.
On a statewide planning call for utilities and state agencies, meteorologist Roger Hill, who specifically forecasts for potential weather impacts to utility infrastructure, said winds could slowly ramp up Thursday evening with the strongest gusts above 50 miles per hour possible overnight.
“Right now, the models show high elevations and along the western slopes of the Green Mountains are where those winds will be strongest,” Hill said.
In preparation for any storm, GMP is recommending Vermonters have on hand a fully charged cell phone, bottled water, battery-powered flashlights, emergency phone numbers, and a plan of where to go if you were to need to leave your home. You can find more storm safety tips at greenmountainpower.com. You can report outages by calling 888-835-4672, through GMP’s online Outage Center, and through GMP’s app.
