1% without power in Wareham as of Wednesday morning

Feb 12, 2013

As of Wednesday morning, NSTAR is reporting that 1% -- a total of 237 -- of its customers in Wareham are without power, after the storm that some meteorologists dubbed "Nemo" pummeled the town, leaving 96% of customers in the dark at one point over the weekend.

The company estimated that power would be fully restored in Wareham by Thursday night.

Power in Wareham began flickering in and out beginning early Friday evening, and as time went on, police, firefighters, and the town's maintenance department responded to near constant reports of downed trees, wires, and poles, and trees on houses.

"The communications officers [dispatchers] were swamped with a deluge of calls" as soon as the storm began, said Wareham Police Lt. Kevin Walsh, noting that the officers did an excellent job at keeping everything running smoothly. "I can't say enough about the communications officers at our place."

The calls ranged from residents wondering when the power might be turned on to medical emergencies in the height of the storm, Walsh said.

As of 8:30 p.m. Friday, slightly more than 1,870 NSTAR customers were without power in Wareham, which amounts to approximately 12% of the town's customers. By 12:30 a.m. Saturday, that number reached 13,991, or 96% of the town's customers.

Officials declared a state of emergency in the Town of Wareham beginning at noon on Friday and ending at 10 a.m. on Sunday.

"I am urging that all Wareham residents curtail all unnecessary travel, and do avoid all downed lines during the declaration period," Selectmen Chair Steve Holmes said when announcing the state of emergency. "We will be cooperating with state and federal officials to protect life and property, and to coordinate any benefits that may become available as a result of local, state, and federal emergency declarations."

Governor Deval Patrick also declared a state of emergency, and banned road travel beginning at 4 p.m. on Friday, until 4 p.m. Saturday.

"The governor's driving ban really helped," said Walsh, explaining that most everyone stayed off the road when most necessary.

"The accidents are happening now that sight-seers are coming out," he said Sunday evening.

Clean-up is still underway, and it's going to take a while.

"If you can stay home, stay home," Walsh asked. "Don't come out sight-seeing yet.

The storm came at the same time as the 35th anniversary of the Blizzard of 1978, which pounded the region from Feb. 5 to Feb. 7 of that year.

"I reiterate that your safety is our primary concern during this emergency period and that we stand ready to help you to the best of our ability," Holmes continued.

The town has asked that residents who contract with private snow plowers not have snow pushed from their driveways into the roadways. The town also asks residents not to block fire hydrants with snow.

In an emergency, call Wareham Police at 508-295-1212. The Municipal Maintenance department can be reached at 508-295-5300.

Got photos or memories of the '78 blizzard that you'd like to share? Comment below this story, and e-mail storm photos —  current and historical — to jaime@warehamweek.com! We'll be sure to give credit to the photographer.

Stay with Wareham Week for storm coverage throughout the weekend!