By Paul Tuthill
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-991846.mp3
Springfield, MA – Despite having an unprecedented number of line crews working to restore power , utility companies in Massachusetts estimate it will be the end of the week before everyone gets their electricity back. WAMC's Pioneer Valley Bureau Chief Paul Tuthill reports.
There are 15 hundred line crews on the job in Massachusetts, with hundreds more scheduled to arrive within a day, traveling from as far as Louisiana. Its the most ever summoned to work a storms aftermath in Massachusetts, but still, officials caution it could take until Friday to clear away all of the fallen trees and restring all the electric wiring that snapped under the weight of the historic October snowstorm.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick met with utility company representatives Monday morning to discuss restoration efforts.
More than 500 thousand homes and businesses were without power Monday in Massachusetts. State officials said they hoped the number would be cut in half by Tuesday. But they counseled patience and echoed utility company estimates of a multiple day restoration event.
A spokesperson for Western Massachusetts Electric Company, Sandra Ahearn said this was the worst storm to ever strike the company's service territory.
On its website, National Grid estimated that it would Thursday night before power is fully restored in the communities it services in western Massachusetts.
A number of shelters opened across the state to take in people who need a warm place to stay, a hot meal, or somewhere to recharge cell phones and lap tops.
Lisa Johnson left her home in Wilbraham to go to the emergency shelter at Central High School in Springfield.
Governor Patrick declared a state of emergency and activated 700 National Guard troops Sunday . He now plans to seek a presidential disaster declaration so the state can get federal money to help pay for the emergency response.
Kurt Schwartz, the head of the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency said state authorities are responding to requests from cities and towns for generators, gasoline for the generators and for tree crews.
Authorities have linked three deaths in Massachusetts to the storm. A man was electrocuted in Springfield Saturday night when he touched a guardrail that had been electrified by a downed wire. An elderly woman died in a house fire in Lunenberg Sunday. A woman died of carbon monoxide poisoning in Hatfield that was caused by a propane fueled heater..
Six people in Springfield were hospitalized after carbon monoxide built up inside their home from two lit charcoal grills, which were apparently being used as a source of heat, according to the Springfield Fire Department public information officer, Denis Leger.
Dozens of school districts cancelled classes Monday. The Springfield Public Schools will remain closed the rest of the week. Officials in many communities postponed Holloween activities and urged parents not to allow children to trick or treat because of dangerous condtions.