WORCESTER, MASS. (WHDH) - Power crews were getting ready Monday as a new round of winter weather is expected to bring the threat of power outages across the state.
The daylong, multifaceted storm beginning Monday night could drop up to 18 inches of snow in parts of Western Massachusetts and northern Worcester County. While snow totals will likely be lower in parts of Eastern Massachusetts, the wind could howl, slamming some locations with gusts up to 65 miles per hour.
Eversource has called this a “potentially significant” weather event, calling in crews from as far away as Canada, Texas and Michigan as a result.
“We really have a pretty good contingent,” Eversource President of Regional Electric Operations Craig Hallstrom said on Monday.
Hallstrom said roughly 800 external line crews are on hand. With possible tree damage, Hallstrom said 500 tree crews are also ready to respond.
Eversource officials said they’ve been planning for this storm for several days, adding that line crews are experienced and ready.
The company has five separate emergency operations centers in place. Mobile command centers can also be used as conditions deteriorate.
“We can run the restoration from a parking lot,” Hallstrom said.
While working on preparations, Hallstrom said he’s been keeping a close eye on the forecast.
“Hopefully, the snow falls [and] there’s some melting before the highest winds kick in,” he said.
If snow and high winds hit at the same time, he continued, the region will likely see damage to trees.
At the state level, Gov. Maura Healey has directed some non-emergency state workers to stay home Tuesday. Healey has urged others to also stay home if possible and stock up on supplies in case power goes out.
“It is looking to be pretty heavy and pretty wet for a long period,” Healey said of forecasted snow.
Weather conditions are expected to prompt numerous power outages in parts of Worcester County.
Scattered power outages are likely throughout coastal communities as well as inland areas in Middlesex County, Worcester County, Essex County and southern New Hampshire. Scattered outages may also crop up in western Massachusetts.
Elsewhere, conditions may still cause isolated outages.
Rain began to move across Massachusetts Monday evening.
Snow is expected to gradually replace rain overnight, pushing from west to east to eventually cover most of the state by Tuesday afternoon.For more information and the latest forecast, check out the 7WEATHER Blog and more here.
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