While everyone is cautiously optimistic any power interruptions from the current storm won’t approach the widespread damage and extended outages the Halloween storm left behind, PSNH and other electric companies are putting crews on alert for those that do occur.

No outages have been reported as of 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, but the storm was just beginning to ramp up as it moves over the entire region. PSNH spokesman Martin Murray said the company has more than 200 line and tree crews at the ready throughout the state, where it serves 70 percent of electric customers.

He said call center representatives are in the process of contacting medical emergency customers to encourage them to take steps to be prepared should outages occur.

About two to three inches of medium-density snow had fallen across the region as of 7:30 p.m. Wednesday. Police in Nashua and most area towns have responded to a few accidents and vehicles off the road, mostly of the minor variety. State and local plows are out, clearing and treating road surfaces. Those who find it necessary to travel Wednesday night and Thursday should exercise the usual cautions.

Murray said PSNH customers should report outages immediately at 800-662-7764. He urged everyone to be mindful of possible downed power lines, tree limbs and other storm debris whether walking or driving. Outage maps and other storm updates will be posted on PSNH.com.

Plymouth-based New Hampshire Electric Cooperative issued a similar statement Wednesday evening, advising residents to report outages or other problems on its 24-hour outage line, 800-343-6432, and check nhec.coop for status and restoration updates.

–DEAN SHALHOUP

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