BEDFORD — Chief John Fisher and the Bedford Police Department wish to provide information regarding heavy rainfall and high winds expected Tuesday evening through Wednesday afternoon.
Residents can expect heavy rainfall and high winds to begin this evening. Wind gusts of 55-65 mph are expected and could cause downed trees and power lines as well as power outages. Rainfall of approximately 1.75 to 2.75 inches is also expected. Some flooding of basements, rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations is possible given the combination of heavy rainfall and snowmelt.
Empty sandbags will be available for residents at the Bedford Police Department, 2 Mudge Way, and there is sand available to fill the bags at Springs Brook Park, 171 Springs Road.
Power Outages: Should you experience a power outage, report it directly to National Grid at 800-465-1212. Please do not call 911 to report an outage or to ask about power restoration as it ties up emergency lines and dispatchers. Additional safety information regarding power outages can be found here.
Generator Safety: During power outages, those using a generator are reminded to use extreme caution and allow for proper ventilation. Never use a generator indoors or inside a garage. Keep generators away from doors, windows and HVAC air intakes, and point the exhaust away from the building. Be sure that you have working carbon monoxide detectors. When using generators, it is also extremely important to use a proper transfer/disconnect switch, otherwise, you risk harming electrical lineworkers making repairs. Additional safety information regarding the use of generators can be found here.
Downed Power Lines: Remember to stay away from all downed power lines and never go near or touch them. Treat all down wires as live electrical wires. Do not get close to them as electrocutions can occur without direct contact.
Be a good neighbor and check on family, friends and neighbors, especially the elderly, those who live alone, and those who may need additional assistance. Always call 911 in an emergency.