United Illuminating Prepared for Elsa’s Arrival

UI has doubled field crews and strategically staging across territory to restore power quickly

ORANGE, Connecticut — July 8, 2021 (11:30 a.m. EDT) — United Illuminating (UI), a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), is prepared for the likelihood of stormy weather as Tropical Storm Elsa approaches Connecticut. UI has contracted nearly 100 additional professional line workers and dozens of tree crews from across the region.

Forecasters are calling for Elsa to impact Connecticut during the day on Friday with strong, sustained winds and heavy rain. This combination can cause tree branches, debris, and unsecured items to damage electrical poles, power lines and cause power outages.

UI’s crews have been constantly prepared throughout this week as scattered, but severe, storms have passed through the region daily. In preparation for Elsa, UI has secured contractor support to nearly double the size of its line workforce who will be arriving by noon today. They will be instructed on system safety, staged at various locations throughout UI’s territory, and standing by to begin repairs as soon as it is safe to do so. Additional tree crews have also been secured to aid in clearing toppled trees from roads and power lines. As a reminder, it’s never safe to touch a down wire.

Consistent with its approved Emergency Response Plan, UI also has been proactively communicating with municipal officials throughout the service territory and will remain in close contact through the duration of this event to quickly and safely clear roads and restore power to customers. UI has begun outreach calls to residential customers with critical medical conditions who rely on electric power to ensure they have access to necessary resources. After the storm, UI will continue providing updates to them and all customers on estimated restoration times. Customers who have these needs and not previously notified the company are encouraged to contact UI as soon as possible by calling 800.722.5584 (800.7.CALL.UI).

UI advises customers to be prepared year-round for the possibility of weather-related outages, and to have a plan in case of an extended loss of service. Customers can find safety and readiness information, as well as other resources, at uinet.com.

Before a Storm:

  • Sign up for Outage Alerts. Text “REG” to 839-884 (TEXT-UI) to receive free text alerts if you lose service, along with for restoration updates. Visit uinet.com for additional alert options.
  • Keep long-lasting LED flashlights and lanterns on hand, along with a battery-operated radio, fresh batteries, drinking water, non-perishable foods and prescription medications.
  • Fully charge mobile devices and store emergency contacts in memory.
  • Fuel vehicles and fill spare fuel tanks for snow-blowers and generators.

Medical and Life Support Customers:

  • Customers who rely on life-saving medical equipment should have a plan in case of a sudden or extended loss of service. UI medical and life-support customers should register in advance to ensure the company is aware of their needs. Call UI at 800.722.5584 (800.7.CALL.UI).

Safety Tips:

  • Stay far away from downed wires and anything that may be in contact with them. Report downed wires and other electrical hazards to UI at 800.722.5584.
  • If a downed wire comes in contact with your vehicle, stay inside, call 911 and wait for help. If you must get out because of fire or other danger, avoid making contact with the vehicle and the ground at the same time. Jump clear of the vehicle, land with your feet together, and hop away with both feet together, or shuffle away without lifting your feet. Don’t run or stride.
  • Never step into a flooded basement or other room if water may be in contact with electrical outlets, appliances or cords.
  • If you suspect a natural gas leak, call the emergency number listed on your gas company’s website. (For Southern Connecticut Gas, call 800.513.8898; for Connecticut Natural Gas, call 866.924.5325).

Generators:

  • Do not use a generator that plugs into your home’s electrical system unless it is connected via a transfer switch installed by a licensed electrician. Improperly connected generators can back-feed electricity into the outside grid and pose a danger to the public and to crews working to restore service.
  • Carefully read and observe the instructions in your generator’s operating manual.
  • Properly ground all portable generators.
  • Never run a generator indoors, in an open garage, or near a window.
  • Do not store fuel indoors or try to refuel a generator while it’s running.

Report an Outage:

  • To report an outage, visit uinet.com or call 800.722.5584 (800.7.CALL.UI). 
  • Report outages using the company’s new mobile app, available from the Apple Store and Google Play. 
  • Report outages via UI’s mobile alerts system: text “OUT” to 839-884 (TEXT-UI). Registration is required.

Additional storm readiness and safety information:

About UI: The United Illuminating Company (UI) is a subsidiary of AVANGRID, Inc. Established in 1899, UI operates approximately 3,600 miles of electric distribution lines and 138 miles of transmission lines. It serves approximately 341,000 customers in the greater New Haven and Bridgeport areas of Connecticut. UI received the Edison Electric Institute’s Emergency Recovery Award in 2019 and 2021. For more information, visit uinet.com.

About AVANGRID: AVANGRID, Inc. (NYSE: AGR): aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $38 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, AVANGRID has two primary lines of business: Avangrid Networks and Avangrid Renewables. Avangrid Networks owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Avangrid Renewables owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. AVANGRID employs approximately 7,000 people and has been recognized by Forbes and Just Capital as one of the 2021 JUST 100 companies – a list of America’s best corporate citizens – and was ranked number one within the utility sector for its commitment to the environment and the communities it serves. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2021 for the third consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. For more information, visit avangrid.com.

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Learn about the Iberdrola Group’s global pandemic response at its COVID-19 Hub.

Media Contacts:

Bob Brown
bob.brown@avangrid.com
203.241.0072

Susan Millerick
Susan.millerick@avangrid.com
959.245.4816

24/7 Media Hotline
833.MEDIA.55 (833.633.4255)

 

 

 

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