Durham NH status of storm outages

To: Town of Durham Mailing List
Subject: Town of Durham: Power Outage Update - Monday - 12/15/08 - 10:00 a.m.

Dear Members of the Community,

As of 10:00 a.m. today, Monday, 12/15/08, the N.H. Office of Emergency Management reports widespread power outages across the state currently affecting approximately 165,600 customers combined with widespread debris and downed power lines causing road closures.

Durham Town Officials have placed calls to PSNH and are awaiting feedback at this time concerning areas of power restoration focus within the community. When this information becomes available, we will update the community via the list server and our Town website. We'll also distribute blue flyers downtown this afternoon with the latest information for residents who cannot access the internet.

This week's weather forecast is as follows:

Today (Monday, 12/15/08): A chance of showers after 7am. Cloudy, with a high near 49. Southwest wind between 8 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Tonight: Showers likely, mainly before 4am. Cloudy, with a low around 32. West wind between 7 and 15 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch possible.

Tuesday: A chance of rain showers before 1pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 31 by 5pm. North wind between 6 and 8 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%. Little or no snow accumulation expected.

Tuesday Night: Snow likely. Increasing clouds, with a low around 21. Light north wind. Chance of precipitation is 60%.

Wednesday: Snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 31. Northeast wind between 3 and 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

Wednesday Night: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 24. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Thursday: A chance of rain and snow showers. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

Thursday Night: A chance of snow showers. Cloudy, with a low around 23. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

Friday: A chance of rain showers. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 43. Chance of precipitation is 40%.

A Federal emergency declaration has been received for the State of New Hampshire for Federal financial assistance. The National Guard continues to distribute cots and water from the FEMA staging area at Pease.

The N.H. Department of Transportation reports 39 segments of state roads are still closed; 199 segments of local roads are still closed including 10 roadways which are either totally or partially obstructed by power lines in Durham as follows:

Bagdad/Canney
Davis Ave.
Dennison Rd. (by Middle School)
Ambler
Faculty Rd.
Dame Rd.
Durham Point Rd.
Meserve Rd.
Stevens Way
Willey Rd.

N.H. Electric COOP outages are down to 7,600 and are expected to be back on line by Monday.
Unitil reports 13,000 outages.
National Grid reports 7,000 outages.
PSNH is reporting a total of 138,000 customers still without power.
Phone service interruptions are largely awaiting power restoration - will usually follow by a day.

For assistance, contact the Durham Police Department at 868-2324. The Red Cross shelter at the Oyster River High School on Coe Drive is still in operation and will continue in place until no longer needed.