09/10/2026
⚡ POWER OUTAGES: WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE YOUR POWER IS RESTORED?
When a major storm impacts Greenwich, downed trees, wires and blocked roads can create widespread outages. Restoration takes time—and safety comes first.
🌳 WHAT IS “MAKE SAFE”?
Before restoration can begin in many areas, Eversource crews must first make the area safe. This can include:
• Making downed wires safe
• Repairing or securing damaged poles and equipment that may fall and injure
a passerby
• Clearing fully blocked roads so Police, Fire and EMS can safely respond
Once Priority life-safety calls, Make-Safe roads and critical facilities are addressed, additional restoration is generally prioritized based on restoring the largest number of customers in the shortest amount of time.
For example, restoring power to 1,000 customers will generally take priority over restoring 100 customers.
🏠 WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR YOU?
If you live on a small private road, in an area with only a few outages, or in a more isolated location, your power may be restored later in the process.
Certain Eversource-approved critical customers, including hospitals, nursing homes and approved residents with life-sustaining medical devices requiring power, may receive priority once it is safe to do so.
⏱️ WHY CAN RESTORATION TAKE DAYS?
Major storms can impact many communities at the same time. Utility, tree and specialized crews may be shared among impacted communities, with additional resources coming from other states and companies.
Clearing trees, repairing poles, rehanging wires and replacing damaged equipment is a major, coordinated operation.
🔦 BE READY FOR A MULTI-DAY OUTAGE
Several storms this summer resulted in Greenwich residents being without power for multiple days.
Plan for an extended outage—not just a few hours.
Have:
🔋 Backup power or charged battery banks
🔦 LED Flashlights and extra batteries
📻 Emergency radio
💧 Water and non-perishable food
💊 Medications
📱 Phone charging options
🐕 Pet supplies
⚡ A safe generator plan, if applicable
Greenwich Emergency Management works directly with Eversource and communications partners to coordinate information and restoration efforts. Town departments and utility crews often work around the clock to restore services as quickly and safely as possible.
📲 Sign up for Greenwich Alerts: www.GreenwichAlerts.org
Follow Greenwich Emergency Management, Greenwich Police and the Town of Greenwich for reliable information before, during and after major weather events or incidents.
