New Hampshire Homeland Security and Emergency Management is coordinating the State's response from the State Emergency Operations Center after a massive storm produced hurricane force winds leaving 450,000 residents without power.

The early morning storm produced gusts of 78 mph at the Isles of Shoals and 68 mph inland as it brought 2 to 3 inches of rain across the State with pockets of more than 5 inches. The strong winds knocked down branches and trees across the State resulting in the State's fourth largest power outage.

"We're asking everyone to focus on safety," Director of Homeland Security and Emergency Management Perry Plummer said. "As of yet, no serious injuries have been reported, but branches and trees are still falling and strong winds are expected to continue this afternoon. Outages are being addressed as quickly as possible, but the State was hit incredibly hard and it may take days for power to be restored to all areas."

Plummer said HSEM's primary goal is the safety of all New Hampshire residents and visitors and encourages neighbors to check on one another and help when possible:

If you are without power for extended periods, consider going to a local shelter. Call 211 or your local fire department for the latest list of shelters.

Branches and trees will continue to fall with little or no warning, watch for debris.

If you encounter a downed power line, stay away from the line and call 911.

If a power line falls on your car, stay inside the vehicle until first responders arrive to assist.

Drive carefully and expect to encounter debris.

Never drive over a water covered roadway. Turn around don't drown.

Use emergency generators and alternate heat sources safely:

Only use a generator that has been properly connected to house wiring by a professional and with an interlock device to avoid back feeding to the power lines and injuring a line worker or neighbor.

Run generators 10 feet away from structures, windows, doors and vents. Improper placement of generators and improper venting of heat sources are a major cause of carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning. CO is a colorless, tasteless, odorless gas that can kill.

The warning signs of CO poisoning are flu-like symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, and confusion, but without a fever.

Do not use a gas range or oven as an alternate source of heat.

If you or anyone in the home thinks you are being poisoned by carbon monoxide:

Leave the house at once.

Call the fire department or 911.

Check on neighbors and friends and offer help where needed.

Call 211 to report damage to your home.

Visit ReadyNH.gov to learn more about keeping safe during emergencies and signup for NH Alerts, the State's emergency notification system.


Posted 10/30/17