By Amy Coveno and Mike Cherry
MANCHESTER, N.H. —
A significant winter storm is slamming New Hampshire as 2019 comes to a close.
The storm began Monday morning as snow in central and northern areas and as a wintry mix across southern New Hampshire.
Around a half-inch or more of ice accumulation is possible in southwestern areas, which could cause significant tree damage and power outages.
>> Winter storm arrives in NH; significant ice, snow accumulation expected
Meanwhile,
anywhere from a couple of inches up to 10 inches or more of snow and/or
sleet is possible, depending on your location.
>> See the hour-by-hour storm timeline
At the peak, more than 1,000 outages were reported Monday morning, with most reports coming from the Monadnock Region. About 700 customers lost power in Francestown after a car struck a utility pole.
Eversource NH is reporting about 1,300 customers without power mostly in the Monadnock Region. 700 customers are out in Francestown due to a car vs utility pole. via @dsakowich_WMUR— WMUR TV (@WMUR9) December 30, 2019
Eversource officials said they are keeping a close eye on the
southwestern part of the state and the company hundreds of workers and
additional contract crews on standby.
The company’s main concern is ice building up on trees, taking branches and power lines down with them. The company is asking people at home to be prepared.
Regardless of the precipitation type, roads have the potential to be very slick for much of the day Monday and into Tuesday morning.
Drivers are urged to take it slow and allow for extra time to reach their destinations.
Here are important safety reminders to be aware of:
POWER OUTAGES
If the power goes out, you are encouraged to call your electricity provider.
— Eversource (Report an outage at 800-662-7764)
— Liberty Utilities (Report an outage at 855-349-9455)
— New Hampshire Electric Co-op (Report an outage at 800-343-6432)
— Unitil (Report an outage at 866-900-4115)
If you see downed power lines, call 911. Assume they are still live wires and do not touch them or drive over them. If a line falls on your car, stay in the car until emergency crews arrive.
People are also urged to stay at least 35 feet away from downed lines and anything they fall on.
Some important supplies to have ready are flashlights with fresh batteries and sleeping bags or blankets in case the power and heat go out.
State fire officials urge those who are at home without power to be cautious when using generators or alternate heat sources.
GENERATOR SAFETY
Officials said residents should only use a generator that has been properly connected to house wiring by a professional.
Generators should be run outside and at least 10 feet away from a building, with the exhaust facing away from the house.
Improperly installed or running generators can cause carbon monoxide poisoning. Anyone who suspects carbon monoxide in a home or building is urged to leave immediately and call 911 before calling the state poison center at 1-800-222-1222.
SNOW SAFETY
New Hampshire Department of Transportation officials ask that residents avoid crowding plows and slow down to allow for snow removal on state roadways.
Officials also recommended that residents clear snow from around lights, vents and fire hydrants.
Meanwhile, Jessica’s Law requires all drivers to clear snow and ice off their vehicles before hitting the road.
