Eversource: Check For Residual Tree Damage From August Storms

CONNECTICUT — As a follow-up to last month's powerful storms, Eversource Energy Monday began urging customers to inspect trees on their properties for damage that could pose a risk to power lines.

The plea came as the energy company's tree-trimming and hazard tree removal program turns to residual damage cause by the storms. More than 10,000 trees toppled during Tropical Storm Isaias and the late-August microburst in Branford and surrounding communities, Eversource officials said.

Since the violent storms, Eversource has identified and removed hundreds of additional storm-damaged trees that "threatened electric reliability," officials said.

"Trees are the No. 1 cause of power outages and removing these trees is critical, especially with fierce storms happening more frequently. Roughly 60 percent of Connecticut’s landscape is forested, with many large, mature trees located over or near power lines,? Eversource Vegetation Management Manager Alan Carey said. "We trim and remove hazardous trees every day along state and local roads and can’t stress enough the importance of communities and customers working collaboratively with us to support these efforts so we can reduce the number of tree-related power outages in future storms."

Utility officials said customers' restoration time after a storm is "greatly impacted" by the extensive tree-clearing required before Eversource can repair the electric system and restore power to customers.

Downed trees blocking roads also create increased safety risks for fire, police and other first responders, they added.

The strong storms damaged not only dead and diseased trees, but also brought down mature, healthy trees with full-leaf canopies. The electric grid is not built to withstand the impacts of massive, mature trees falling on it, officials said.

This year alone, the energy company is spending $83 million trimming branches and removing hazardous trees along 4,200 miles of roads across Connecticut as part of its robust vegetation management program, officials said.

"Our vegetation management program is a thoughtful plan that balances the needs of reliable service to our customers and the natural beauty of our communities," Carey said. "We appreciate the understanding of town leaders and property owners as we work together to lessen the risk of tree-caused power outages in future storms."

Click here to see how Eversource arborists identify dead or dying trees and for details on the company’s comprehensive vegetation management program, please visit Eversource.com.