Avangrid crews mobilize early, deploy advanced grid technology, and restore power swiftly to impacted communities amid severe winter conditions
Avangrid, Inc., a leading sustainable energy company in the United States and a member of the Iberdrola Group, has announced the successful execution of a comprehensive storm response effort following a powerful blizzard that swept across parts of the Northeast this week. The severe winter weather system brought heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, and strong wind gusts that led to widespread power outages across Maine, upstate New York, and Connecticut.
Thanks to careful planning, infrastructure investments, and the swift mobilization of field crews, Avangrid’s utility subsidiaries — Central Maine Power (CMP), New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG), and The United Illuminating Company (UI) — were able to restore service to affected customers quickly and safely, minimizing disruption during hazardous conditions.
Coordinated Preparation Ahead of the Storm
Meteorologists had been tracking the blizzard’s path several days before it made landfall. Forecasts warned of significant snow accumulation combined with gusting winds strong enough to down trees and damage power lines. Recognizing the potential impact on customers and communities, Avangrid and its subsidiaries activated their storm readiness protocols well in advance.
Preparation efforts included staging additional line crews, securing specialized equipment, fueling vehicles, and reinforcing coordination with local emergency management agencies. By pre-positioning resources in high-risk service areas, the utilities ensured they could respond immediately once outages began to occur.
“This week’s blizzard was a clear reminder of why both preparation and strong infrastructure are essential,” said Jose Antonio Miranda, CEO of Avangrid. “Our teams across CMP, NYSEG, and UI mobilized quickly, executed their storm plans, and restored power to thousands of customers despite challenging conditions. These results reflect not only the dedication of our crews but also the investments we continue to make in grid resilience. We remain committed to delivering reliable service and responding swiftly whenever severe weather impacts the communities we serve.”
Miranda emphasized that resilience is not just about reacting to emergencies, but about building and maintaining a grid that can withstand increasingly volatile weather patterns. Over the past several years, Avangrid has invested significantly in grid modernization, vegetation management, and infrastructure hardening — all of which contributed to the efficient response during this event.
Central Maine Power: Rapid Response in Maine
In Maine, CMP faced heavy snowfall and powerful wind gusts that swept across multiple regions of the state. Anticipating the storm’s arrival, the utility staged extra crews at service centers throughout its territory, ensuring rapid deployment once outages were reported.
The blizzard ultimately caused more than 4,900 individual outages in CMP’s service area. Downed tree limbs and wind-damaged lines accounted for the majority of incidents. Crews worked in frigid temperatures and blowing snow to assess damage, clear debris, and repair lines.
Despite the challenging conditions, restoration efforts moved quickly. CMP’s pre-storm preparations enabled crews to begin repairs as soon as it was safe to do so. The company maintained close communication with municipal officials and emergency response teams, ensuring that priority facilities such as hospitals, public safety buildings, and critical infrastructure received attention first.
The result was a rapid and organized restoration process that minimized downtime for customers across the state.
United Illuminating: Swift Restoration in Connecticut
In southern Connecticut, UI’s service territory experienced heavy snowfall and sustained winds that knocked out power to thousands of customers. Anticipating severe impacts, UI secured additional staffing and staged equipment strategically throughout its coverage area.
More than 6,000 customers were affected at the height of the storm. However, restoration efforts began immediately once conditions allowed crews to safely access damaged areas.
A powerful example of UI’s rapid response came from Milford, Connecticut. A resident named Tom lost power during the height of the blizzard on Monday morning.
“I lost power Monday morning during the height of the blizzard, with strong winds and blowing snow,” Tom said. “Within 20 minutes, a UI bucket truck appeared. There was a tree limb down on a line and power was restored, all within 45 minutes. You lead a fabulous crew of dedicated people.”
Stories like Tom’s highlight the effectiveness of UI’s storm planning and the dedication of its workforce. Crews navigated hazardous roads, heavy snow accumulation, and freezing temperatures to reach affected areas quickly and restore service safely.
NYSEG: Strategic Positioning in Upstate New York
In upstate New York, NYSEG faced similar winter conditions, with strong winds and accumulating snow creating the risk of falling branches and line damage. To prepare, the company pre-staged 40 additional line crews in its Brewster division, a strategic move that allowed for rapid deployment once outages were reported.
By positioning crews close to anticipated trouble spots, NYSEG reduced response times significantly. Restoration work was carried out efficiently, prioritizing critical infrastructure and areas with the highest customer impact.
The Brewster division’s proactive approach exemplifies Avangrid’s broader storm management philosophy: anticipate risk, deploy resources in advance, and respond decisively.
Investments in Grid Resilience
While quick mobilization played a key role in the successful restoration efforts, Avangrid attributes much of its success to long-term investments in infrastructure and resilience.
In recent years, the company has implemented numerous system upgrades, including:
- Hardening overhead lines to withstand high winds
- Upgrading poles and crossarms to improve durability
- Expanding vegetation management programs to reduce tree-related outages
- Implementing advanced monitoring systems for faster outage detection
- Strengthening communication and coordination systems
These investments are designed to ensure that the grid can better withstand severe weather events, which are becoming more frequent and intense due to changing climate conditions.
By modernizing infrastructure and leveraging advanced technologies, Avangrid’s utilities are improving reliability while enhancing safety for both customers and crews.
Commitment to Communities
Beyond technical restoration efforts, Avangrid and its subsidiaries place strong emphasis on community engagement during severe weather events. Utilities maintain regular communication with customers through outage maps, text alerts, and social media updates. They also coordinate closely with local officials, emergency responders, and public works departments.
During this blizzard, that coordination proved essential. By working together with municipal partners, crews were able to clear roads, remove debris, and access damaged infrastructure more efficiently.
Avangrid’s response reflects its broader mission: delivering reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy while supporting the communities it serves.
About Avangrid
Avangrid, Inc. is a leading energy company in the United States focused on meeting the growing demand for power in homes and businesses nationwide. Through continued investments in grid infrastructure and renewable energy generation, the company is expanding its ability to provide clean, reliable energy.
Headquartered in Connecticut, Avangrid has offices in New York, Massachusetts, Maine, and Oregon, and operates in 25 states with approximately $48 billion in assets. The company’s operations are organized into two primary business segments: networks and power.
Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates seven electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.4 million customers across New York and New England. Through its power generation division, the company owns and operates more than 80 energy generation facilities across the United States, producing more than 10.5 gigawatts (GW) of electricity — enough to power over 3.1 million customers.
Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people nationwide. The company has received national recognition for its corporate responsibility and ethical standards. In 2025, it was named to the JUST 100 list by JUST Capital for the fifth consecutive year, recognizing America’s best corporate citizens. It was also recognized as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the seventh consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute.
As part of the Iberdrola Group, Avangrid benefits from global expertise in renewable energy development, grid modernization, and sustainable operations. This international partnership supports Avangrid’s continued focus on innovation, clean energy expansion, and infrastructure investment.
