Nor’easter Knockout – Electric Power Restoration
Photo:Courtesy of CNN and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Multiple nor’easters knockout electrical power in states along the northern Atlantic coast. Three powerful storms each delivered snowy punches to the New England states in a time span of less than 2 weeks.
And it was “lights out” with 2 feet of wet, heavy snow in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Vermont, West Virginia and Maine.
March began with winter storm “Riley” bringing destructive winds, heavy snow and severe coastal flooding in the Northeast. It was reported that this first storm, alone was the fourth most damaging in the history of the Central Hudson.
Then, the second winter storm “Quinn” dumped more heavy, wet snow and more collapsing trees that led to additional power outages in the area.
The third nor’easter, named “Skylar”, nailed New England again with relentless blizzard conditions and damaging winds. More fractured trees and utility poles caused even more extensive power outages as the storms continued to pummel the region.
The call went out across the nation for assistance with electrical power restoration.
Ward Electric Company responded immediately.
We sent 8 crews, a mechanic, safety manager and a general foreman to repair the storm-damaged lines, poles, and connections. The equipment deployed to the New England states totaled over 30 pieces providing the Ward Electric teams complete resources to restore power.
Electric power contractor, Ward Electric Company, headquartered in Northern Colorado set out for the North East Coast of the United States. The teams traveled approximately 3 days to reach the stormy destination.
The electric power restoration project lasted about two weeks. For the first 5 days, Central Hudson Gas and Electric of Poughkeepsie, New York was our primary client and facilitated the project of restoring power to surrounding communities.
In the Central Hudson area the storms caused approximately 3,500 downed power lines, 220 broken utility poles and damaged 9 transmission lines.
Once power was restored in Hudson our team moved on to Orange and Rockland, New Jersey for about 3 more days of electric power restoration. New Jersey had endured sustained winds and frequent 35mph gusts along with heavy falling and blowing snow. Conditions frequently reduced visibility to less than a quarter-mile and made electrical line repair challenging and cold.
The Hudson, New York location and nearby Pleasant Valley community presented an unexpected experience in that being so far from our Colorado home, we were recognized by friendly Longmont neighbors!
“Ward Electric,
Thank you for sending your trucks and folks to restore our electricity after 2 severe storms here in NY.
Imagine my surprise when my husband said the repair trucks are on our road –
(a tree-lined country road in the little rural town of Pleasant Valley, NY)
. . . AND they are from LONGMONT!!We also own a small place off County Line Road in Longmont and live there at least 6 months of the year. Crazy world!
Thanks again,
JoAnn F.”