Londonderry News

Almost 7% of PSNH customers, an estimated 23,500, that lost power with the ice storm were still without power on the morning of December 20, 2008. This number was a huge decrease from the original estimated 326,000 customers who lost power as a result of the storm. An approximated 1,897 Londonderry residents were still without power, but this number declined to 1,743 by 5:15 PM. Of those customers, 846 had damages to the service connections to their homes. PSNH stated that these connections would be the last to get repaired.

In an updated Press Release from the Town, it was difficult to say what dates the restorations would be complete. In South Londonderry, which included Hudson and Windham, there was still 2557 without power and 122 trouble spots in the circuit. Residents were told to expect an extended outage of one to three days. Some were not happy about this. As one reader wrote, “Our (South Londonderry) circuit is now more than 10% of PSNH’s total…Fixing the largest problem first? Hardly…..however they deployed resources at the beginning determines how much attention you get. So our area of 2,500 will wait for 1-3 days while every single home in other towns will be taken care of. We (in a very large number) and Derry are out of luck because somebody didn’t adequately assign the gretaer Derry area enough resources at the beginning of the problem. Seems fair and logical.” In the Wiley Hill/Peabody and surrounding areas, there were 211 customers without power, a decrease from 522. No date was given for restoration, “but residents are advised to plan for the weekend without power.” Power in the Hardy/Stonehenge/Mountain areas was out to only 57, a decline from 121 customers, and had an anticipated date of December 20th or 21st. In the Coteville Road areas, there was no date given for the 40 customers without power.

By 5:15 PM that evening, the number of line, contract, and tree-cutting crews had grown to around 1,100. As snow fell the night before, the crews continued working, only slowed slightly by low visibility and less than ideal road conditions. The crews made progress, however, with the “major backbone circuits.” PSNH itself had problems with power outages, due to the snow that fell.

PSNH reminded residents to stay away from downed wires and treat all like they were live. They also suggested to keep children away from the wires. PSNH also asked that people refrain from talking to crew members while they were working. There was the concern that residents may distract crew members and personal injury would result.

The Londonderry High School Red Cross Shelter was still open to residents in need. There was about 35 people that had spent the previous night.

Please feel free to leave comments about your memories of Day 9, and thanks to those who have already done so!

To read the articles about the Ice Storm published one year ago today, follow these links:

Town Press Release Updates that were added to the first and second releases. Click to find out how many crews in Londonderry were expected to work through that night.

93 Percent have Power Returned, Londonderry Homes Unknown An update from 5:00 AM that morning from PSNH. Find out what the crews first and main focus was when working within a town.

A Bit of Reverse Psychology A humorous letter to PSNH from a reader in Londonderry who asks PSNH not to turn the power back on. Click to discover the reasons they say life’s better without power.

Day 9 Londonderry Without Power A list of streets, according to reader’s comments, that are with or without power. Also has 17 comments from readers.

Town Releases Update Saturday Morning Another update to the Town Press Release. Click to find out how many homes had seen restoration compared to the last update. Contains 15 comments from readers.

TWO WATTY TRUCKS ON CHASE RD – 3:00 pm A very short announcement that two trucks were spotted. Find out what was said about the “Birds.” Has 16 comments.

PSNH 5:15pm Update An update on PSNH’s progress that includes a list of towns and the estimates of when power was expected to be returned to 95% of each town. Also includes a list of towns and their estimated number of people without power. Click to find out when your town was expected to be back with power.

The Restoration effort in the Monadnock Region by PSNH A video of Gary Long, President and CEO of PSNH. He talks about the people without power still. Find out what he had to say.