Published 12.04.2010
5:15 p.m.
Johnson, VT- At 5:00 p.m. approximately 1,700 Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC) members remain without power in the wake of Wednesday’s wind storm. On the fourth day of this severe outage more than 300 utility personnel have been working to repair heavily damaged utility poles and electric lines.

“Restoration efforts today were very slow due to the magnitude of the damage,” said Jeffrey Wright, Chief Operating Officer. “Instead of repairing our system-- in many areas we are literally rebuilding it. The further we get into the restoration process the more broken utility poles and cross-arms we find. Numbers currently exceed over 100 broken utility poles.” 

The outlook for outages in the Hinesburg, Essex and Williston areas is that power will not be restored until Sunday and in some cases outages are expected to last into Monday. Work on outages in the Cambridge area is progressing and it is expected that power will be restored for some affected members tonight, with the remainder of restorations in this area taking place on Sunday. 

The Red Cross has opened a warming station at the Hinesburg Town Hall until 7 p.m. this evening, but will remain open if anyone displaced by the power outages needs a warm place to stay.  Regardless, the Red Cross will re-open the warming station in Hinesburg at 7 a.m. Sunday morning for those who need the service.  Drinks and soup are being served at the facility. More details are available by dialing 2-1-1. 

Several downed power lines and trees remain throughout VEC’s service territory. The Coop urges members to stay away from downed power lines and do not attempt to remove trees or limbs off the lines. They may still be energized and could cause serious injuries or even death. Call VEC to report downed lines at 1-800-832-2667. 

For up to date information please go to the outage center on our website at www.vermontelectric.coop.