BERLIN, CT - With Hurricane Earl making its way up the East Coast, Connecticut Light and Power (CL&P) is prepared to respond in case the storm affects our customers.
“CL&P has a comprehensive plan to respond to Hurricane Earl,” said Mike Zappone, manager of System Restoration and Emergency Preparedness at CL&P. “We’re working with our sister companies in Massachusetts and New Hampshire and have reached out to other utilities to ensure we have the resources we need well in advance.”
“We’re also in very close contact with state and emergency management officials to make sure all of our efforts are coordinated, so we can respond as quickly and safely as possible,” said Zappone, adding that all staff, materials and equipment are currently on stand-by, including a helicopter for aerial patrols.
CL&P is also encouraging its customers to be proactive and informed. Here are some simple tips to help prepare for whatever weather comes our way:
Prepare a "storm kit" and keep it handy. It should include:
* Flashlights with spare batteries
* A battery-operated radio or TV
* First-aid kit
* Canned, freeze-dried or dehydrated foods
* A manual can opener
* Bottled water
* Baby or pet supplies (if needed)
* Important phone numbers
Have a backup plan for life support equipment. If you have life support equipment, you need a backup plan to cope with storm-related outages. That plan should include:
* An alternate source of electric power such as a battery backup system, an uninterruptible power supply or a properly-installed generator for the life support equipment
* Emergency telephone numbers (doctor, fire, police and ambulance)
* A procedure to vacate your home during a prolonged outage
