News Releases
National Grid Expects to Restore Vast Majority of Rhode Island Customers Today National Grid Expects to Restore Vast Majority of Rhode Island Customers TodayAugust 6, 2015, PROVIDENCE, R.I. - National Grid expects to restore power by late tonight to the vast majority of Rhode Island customers who lost power as a result of the storms that tore through the state on Tuesday. As of 11:30 AM, 110,000 of the initial 121,000 customers who lost power had been restored. Most of the remaining customers are in the area that saw the worst storm damage including Warwick, Cranston, Coventry and Westerly. More than 300 line crews, 110 tree crews and 90 wires down/"cut-and-clear" crews are blanketing the affected areas, including crews from eight northeast states and Quebec. The crews are supplemented by hundreds of additional employees handling logistics, engineering, materials, feeding and housing the crews, communications and community relations and a host of other support functions. National Grid's New England Customer Service Center has handled more than 73,000 storm-related customer calls. Crews have been working around the clock since Tuesday morning, but have faced significant challenges because hundreds of large trees that came down during the storms have blocked many roads and caused extensive damage to the electric system. Despite these obstacles, crews restored 110,000 of the 121,000 customers initially affected within 48 hours. That's because National Grid's restoration process first focuses on any public safety emergencies and repairing and energizing lines and substations that serve large numbers of customers because they feed the lines in neighborhoods and on local streets. Then the crews work on lines that serve local areas and neighborhoods. Typically, as in the case of this storm, that's where the most severe damage occurs and why the restoration becomes more labor intensive and may take longer. "We know it's very frustrating to be without power for three days and we continue to work as quickly and safely as possible to complete the restoration," said Timothy F. Horan, president, National Grid, Rhode Island. "I continue to be amazed at the devastation wrought across our state by these storms. It's worse than any other storm in recent memory. I'm grateful to our customers for their considerable patience and understanding and to the many state and local officials who have worked hand-in-hand with us throughout the restoration effort." The storm, which passed through the heart of the state, initially knocked out 20 major power lines that serve a total of 12 substations, 70 main distribution lines and several hundred power lines and equipment on local streets and in neighborhoods, where crews encountered many damaged poles, significant tree damage and numerous downed wires. Make Safety a PriorityNational Grid urges customers to focus on their own safety and that of utility crews working during the restoration. Here are some tips to help keep everyone safe:

• Never touch downed power lines, and always assume that any fallen lines are live electric wires. If you see one, report it immediately to National Grid or your local emergency response organization.
• Be alert and aware of National Grid crews working to restore service. Please stay clear of work zones.
• Power problems can sometimes interrupt public water supply systems or disable well pumps, so it's an especially good idea to keep a supply of bottled drinking water handy.
• To report wires down or a power outage call 800-465-1212.
• People who depend on electric-powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should let National Grid know. To register as a life support customer, call the company's Customer Service Center at 1-800-322-3223.

Electric Safety

• If you use a generator to supply power during an outage, be sure to operate it outdoors. Before operating generators, disconnect from National Grid's system by shutting off the main breaker located in the electric service panel. Failure to do this could jeopardize the safety of line crews and the public.
• If you lose power, turn off any appliances that were on when the power went off, but leave one light on so you will know when power is restored.

Stay Connected to National GridNational Grid provides multiple channels for customers to learn about service issues and interruptions during storms. Customers can follow the storm on their mobile devices by using the National Grid mobile app or texting the word STORM to NGRID (64743). The company provides real time outage information on its Outage Central web site at nationalgridus.com/OutageCentral. National Grid also provides storm and restoration updates through Facebook and Twitter. About National GridNational Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE: NGG) is an electricity and natural gas delivery company that connects nearly 7 million customers to vital energy sources through its networks in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in the Northeast. National Grid also operates the systems that deliver gas and electricity across Great Britain. Through its U.S. Connect21 strategy, National Grid is transforming its electricity and natural gas networks to support the 21st century digital economy with smarter, cleaner, and more resilient energy solutions. Connect21 is vital to our communities' long-term economic and environmental health and aligns with regulatory initiatives in New York (REV: Reforming the Energy Vision) and Massachusetts (Grid Modernization). For more information please visit our website, or our Connecting, watch us on YouTube