Downed Trees, Power Lines Cause Widespread Power Outages
MIDDLEBOROUGH – Town Manager Robert Nunes, Fire Chief and Emergency Management Director Lance Benjamino and Police Chief Joseph Perkins report that town officials, employees and emergency personnel are actively responding to hundreds of calls for service during the Nor’easter storm.
“Middleborough has been hit particularly hard by this storm and our town employees and first responders have been working extremely hard over the past 24 hours, both in preparation for the storm and responding to hundreds of calls for service, since the Nor’easter began,” Town Manager Nunes said. “We are asking everyone to stay home, if possible, and stay off the roads. There are currently several road closures throughout town. If you have an emergency please call 911 and we hope everyone stays safe. We will provide further updates as they become available.”
Widespread Power Outages
There are currently widespread power outages throughout the town, with several damaged individual electrical services. Middleborough Gas & Electric (MG&E) is responding to dozens of reports of downed power lines and utility poles and is assessing and evaluating the damage. Electric mutual aid is being provided by the Wellesley Municipal Light Plant and the Middleton Electric Light Department.
Visit Middleborough Gas & Electric’s Outage Center website to report an outage and to receive updates. Customers can also call 508-947-1371 to report an outage or downed power line.
Crews are working hard to restore power as quickly as possible.
Residents are reminded to stay away from all downed power lines and never go near or touch them for any reason.
Police and Fire Response
The Middleborough Fire Department currently has all three stations opened and fully staffed.
The Middleborough Police Department has 22 officers on duty currently, with four officers answering phones and coordinating the clearing of road obstructions and notifying the MG&E of wires and poles down.
At approximately 3:30 a.m., the Middleborough Fire Department lost power at their station headquarters, located at 125 N. Main St., and had its generator fail, causing a loss of power, radios and computers.
Fire Chief Benjamino immediately diverted all phone calls for service to the police department.
Fire crews temporarily worked off of mobile radios until power was partially restored to the station around 10 a.m. The station’s phone lines are now operable and in use.
The Middleborough Police Department has received over 200 calls for service since the storm began Tuesday night. The Middleborough Fire Department has received over 150 calls for service.
“Our crews have been working tirelessly to field and respond to all of the calls we’ve received since the start of the storm,” Chief Perkins said. “Thankfully we have not gotten any reports of any injuries and property damage has been limited given the amount of trees and branches that have come down.”
There have been reports of trees falling on homes and vehicles. However, there have been no reports of any injuries. The damage is still being assessed.
“We’re asking everyone to please stay off the roads and allow the crews in town to operate and continue the cleanup and restoration process,” Chief Benjamino said. “It is unclear right now when power is going to be restored, so we’re asking for everyone’s patience and understanding. A lot of people are working very hard in response to this storm.”
Anyone who has an emergency is asked to call 911.
DPW Response
As of 9 a.m., there have been as many as 28 roads closed throughout town due to downed trees, limbs, utility poles and wires. Middleborough Public Works Department crews are currently working alongside MG&E staff to clear roadways and get roads reopened as quickly as possible.
At the site of the new DPW facility that is currently under construction, an elevated water storage tank was damaged due to high winds.
To view a video of the water tank click here.
Town Offices and Schools Closed Today
Town Manager Nunes has closed all Town Offices today and Middleborough Public Schools Superintendent Brian Lynch closed schools today.
Residents will be notified of any necessary further closures.
Town officials will provide further updates as they become available.
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