Updated information on the Halloween Nor'Easter from Durham Town Administrator Todd Selig:
Dear Members of the Community,
Please find below the latest storm-related power outage information for the community.
DURHAM HAS A CLOSE CALL
Durham had very a close call yesterday at a residence in which the occupants had located a portable generator in the garage for convenience purposes. Carbon monoxide fumes predictably entered the home and when the smoke/CO2 detectors began to sound an alarm, the father unhooked them because no “smoke smell” was discernable. Fortunately, the mother called the Fire Department. The Fire Department responded and detected lethal levels of CO2 in the children’s bedrooms and within the house. Had this not been detected, it would have proven fatal for the occupants. Fortunately, no one was injured!
If you are running a generator at your home or business, please be sure to review the generator safety tips at the end of this message, and don’t hesitate to contact the Fire Department for assistance if needed at 868-5531 or call 911 in an emergency.
A STATE WIDE UPDATE FROM PSNH
Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH) reports it is making an all-out effort to restore power to New Hampshire homes and businesses on Wednesday. PSNH has restored power to more than 50,000 customers in the past twenty-four hours and 153,000 customers overall since the Halloween Nor’Easter darkened the state. As of 6 a.m. today, about 85,000 customers remain impacted -- almost all located in the southern region where wet, heavy snow last weekend brought down many trees, limbs and branches. An additional 150 out-of- state contract crews from as far away as Tennessee and Colorado joined the restoration effort on Tuesday
PSNH REPORT FOR THE DURHAM AREA
Eleven PSNH crews were very active in Durham yesterday restoring power to public infrastructure, residences, and businesses. At the beginning of the day on Tuesday, there were 1,263 PSNH customers without power in Durham. By last night when the Town received an update from PSNH, that number had been dramatically reduced to 90. An estimate of PSNH customers without power in Durham and the region follows:
Town Name Customers Out % Total Customers Out Est. 99% Restore Barrington 49 1.2% 11/3 Midnight Brentwood 91 5.9% 11/3 Midnight Deerfield 7 .5% 11/3 Midnight Dover 49 .3% 11/2 Noon Durham 88 2.8% 11/3 Midnight Epping 187 6.4% 11/3 Midnight Lee 28 2% 11/3 Midnight Newmarket 47 1% 11/2 Noon Raymond 40 1.2% 11/3 Midnight The Mill Plaza had power restored by Tuesday evening. In addition, the majority of Durham’s public infrastructure had been restored by Tuesday evening. Today, PSNH will have 6 line crews working on 3 different circuits in Durham and expects to have the majority of these restored by the end of the day Wednesday. These include the Durham Point Rd area, Colony Cove, Longmarsh, and Wiswall Road areas.
Residents without power are encouraged to contact their power provider (either PSNH or NHEC) at the contact numbers listed farther down in this message.
This storm rates as PSNH's third largest outage in history, following the December 2008 Ice Storm and February 2010 Wind Storm. PSNH crews are inbound from as far away as Tennessee, Illinois, and Canada to supplement state resources.
HOW TO CALL PSNH OR THE NH ELECTRIC COOP
Call PSNH daily to report a power outage at 1-800-662-7764. Do not assume PSNH knows you do not have power! During these storm events, PSNH works to reenergize areas of town neighborhood by neighborhood but they do not always know individual service lines to homes are down. If an individual service is down, but a neighborhood has been “restored”, PSNH will not know you still do not have power – unless you let them know. So call PSNH and don’t be shy. If you obtain power through the New Hampshire Electric Cooperative, please contact NHEC directly at 603-536-8713.
COMCAST CONTACT INFORMATION
If your are have power but your internet, phone, or television service provided by Comcast is not operational, please contact Comcast directly toll free at 1-888-633-4266. If PSNH lines are down and intertwined with Comcast lines, Comcast must wait for PSNH to repair them before it can restore cable service.
DURHAM’S HOLIDAY INN EXPRESS OFFERS DISCOUNTED ROOMS AND OPENS LOBBY AS WARMING AREA WITH COFFEE AND LIGHT SNACKS
The Holiday Inn Express has offered discounted rooms to residents impacted by the power outage. In addition, there are light snacks and hot refreshments available in the lobby area if needed for residents who need a few minutes of respite from the cold.
DURHAM/UNH WARMING CENTER INFORMATION
A “Warming Center” will be in place at the UNH Hamel Recreation Center (formerly Snively) at the Whittemore Center. It is open to both UNH and the Town of Durham for daytime use only. Parking is available at the Depot Road Parking Lot for access to the Hamel Recreation Center. To avoid a parking ticket, put a piece of paper on your window that indicates you are utilizing the “Warming Center” at the Hamel Rec. Center. Residents in need of Universal Access parking may park in the Depot Road Lot spaces, in H-Lot by the Outdoor Pool, or at the UNH Alumni Center in appropriately marked spaces. Amenities include wireless access, showers, a soft floor, and at least 20 cots for use for the community’s benefit. Animals are not allowed in the facility. To date, more than 200 residents have used the facility for showers, etc. We appreciate all of the efforts the staff at the Hamel Recreation Center and UNH for opening the facility for Durham residents.
CONSIDER THE MUB AS AN OPTION FOR A WARM PLACE TO VISIT
If residents have no heat and are interested in taking some time to explore the Memorial Union Building (MUB) on the UNH campus. Durham residents are welcome! The MUB has WiFi, a food court, and more.
PORTABLE GENERATOR SAFETY INFORMATION
Portable generators should be placed 10 feet from any structure, with the exhaust facing away from the building openings. Deadly exhaust fumes can enter the building through any opening resulting in severe injury or death to unsuspecting occupants.
- Never place portable generators on or near combustible surfaces such as decks, porches, or tool sheds. Heat generated by the motor, or improper refueling methods can start a fire.
- Never run portable generators inside any building, including basement areas and garages. Deadly levels of carbon monoxide can build up in minutes injuring occupants with little to no warning.
- Allow plenty of time to cool the generator before refueling. Gasoline vapors can easily ignite from hot surfaces causing a flash fire and severe injuries.
- Always store approved gasoline containers a safe distance from generators while in [use]
IS THE FOOD IN YOUR REFRIGERATOR/FREEZER SAFE AFTER A LOSS OF POWER?
The US Department of Agriculture recommends taking the following steps during and after a weather emergency involving loss of power:
- Never taste food to determine if it is safe.
- Keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to maintain the cold temperature.
- The refrigerator will keep food safely cold for about 4 hours if it is unopened. A full freezer will hold the temperature approximately 48 hours (24 hours if it is half full) and the door remains closed.
- Food can be safely refrozen if it still contains ice crystals or is at 40°F or below.
- Get block ice or dry ice to keep your refrigerator and freezer as cold as possible if the power is going to be out for an extended period of time.
- Discard refrigerated perishable food such as meat, poultry, fish, soft cheeses, milk, eggs, leftovers, and deli items after 4 hours without power.
DO YOU NEED TO RECHARGE YOUR CELL PHONE?
If anyone needs to recharge their cell phones, the Durham Town Office is available during normal business hours at 15 Newmarket Road.
BE SURE TO CHECK IN ON NEIGHBORS WHO MAY NEED ASSISTANCE
Please take the time to touch base with your neighbors and/or friends within the community, particularly those who may need assistance, to ensure they are alright given the power outage. If you know of someone who the Police or Fire Department should check in on as part of a wellness check, please call 868-2324.
WHO TO CALL IF YOU NEED ASSISTANCE?
If you need assistance, do not hesitate to contact the Durham Police Department at 603-868-2324. In an emergency situation, please call 911.
Todd
Todd I. Selig
Administrator
Town of Durham, NH
(603) 868-5571
tselig@ci.durham.nh.us http://www.ci.durham.nh.us
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