Wind Advisory Issued for Waltham Area

Hold on to your hats -- high winds are making their way into the Waltham area this afternoon and this evening. 

The National Weather Service issued a wind advisory and hazardous weather outlook early this morning warning of strong winds that will be moving through Massachusetts later today.

According to the alert, strong winds will to develop late this afternoon and into the overnight hours. Forecasters expect winds to be around 20-30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph.

The winds could cause some minor damage as well as scattered power outages. 

The advisory will be in effect between 4 p.m. Tuesday and 6 a.m. Wednesday. The strongest winds are forecast to hit Massachusetts after 7 p.m.

As New Englands hunkers down for what may be an extremely windy day, National Grid says its crews and support personnel have been put on alert and are prepared to respond in the event of service interruptions.

National Grid provides a number of channels for customers to learn about service issues and interruptions during storms.  Customers can receive text message alerts and updates through a free service the company offers.  Text the word STORM to NGRID (64743) to sign up for the service.  Email alerts are also available to customers who create an online profile on the company’s website.  All alert services can be started and stopped at the customer’s request.  National Grid also provides storm and restoration updates through Facebook and Twitter.

National Grid advises customers to be prepared as strong, sustained winds can cause local electrical service interruptions. It’s a good idea to have a number of working flashlights, at least one battery-operated radio and an extra supply of batteries in your home. A radio is a good way to stay in touch, as National Grid provides news media with timely information regarding service restoration efforts.

Also, post National Grid’s emergency outage reporting number—1-800-465-1212—near your telephone so it will be handy if needed. 

National Grid offers these tips for customers to minimize inconvenience and maximize safety in the event that storm-related power interruptions do occur:

·         Never touch downed power lines, and always assume that any fallen lines are live electric wires. If you see one, report it immediately to National Grid or your local emergency response organization.

• If you use a generator to supply power during an outage, be sure to only operate it outdoors. Before operating generators, be sure to disconnect from National Grid’s system by shutting off the main breaker located in the electric service panel.  Failure to do this could jeopardize crew safety.
• If you lose power, turn off any appliances that were on when the power went off, but leave one light on so you will know when power is restored.
• Power problems can sometimes interrupt public water supply systems or disable well pumps, so it’s an especially good idea to keep a supply of bottled drinking water handy, as well as some canned food.
• People who depend on electric-powered life support equipment, such as a respirator, should let National Grid know. To register as a life support customer, call the company’s Customer Service Center at 1-800-322-3223.
• National Grid customers who experience outages should call National Grid’s outage line at 1-800-465-1212 immediately to expedite restoration.
• Check on elderly family members, neighbors and others who may need assistance during an outage period.