The following post is the latest update provided by the North Reading DPW on recent outages related to this week’s nor’easter and other helpful tips for Transcript readers.

Remember, keep safety a top priority, especially concerning downed wires and precarious trees and tree limbs damaged by the storm! And please check on your elderly neighbors to be sure they have the assistance they may need.

NORTH READING — As of 5:15 p.m. Friday, March 9, Reading Municipal Light Department  (RMLD) reported approximately 40 customers without power in North Reading at the following locations:

• Tower Hill Road

• Chestnut Street

• Pine Glen Drive

• Pine Ridge Road

• Sullivan Road

At 5:30 p.m., RMLD reported that pending any unanticipated issues, power restoration was anticipated to be completed the evening of Friday, March 9. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR HOUSEHOLD ELECTRICAL SERVICE IS DAMAGED:

There may be isolated instances of power outages due to damaged household service wires. If the electric meter or wire to your home has been damaged, please contact the North Reading Fire Department at 978-664-3112. 

Damaged household service wires must be repaired by a licensed electrician prior to service from the pole to your house turned back on.

To report a power outage, please contact RMLD at 781-942-6598 or 781-944-1340.  For information regarding power restoration, please contact RMLD or visit their Twitter feed.

Residents in need of a warming location/charging location this evening, or those requiring emergency assistance should call the Police Department at 9-1-1.

The DPW and contracted crews will resume street cleanup efforts Saturday morning.  Residents are reminded not to push downed tree limbs or brush onto streets or sidewalks.

BRUSH DROP OFF:

The DPW drop-off facility will be open for the season beginning next Saturday, March 17. 

Brush drop-off will be permitted on Saturday, March 17; Saturday, March 24 and Saturday, March 31. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Contractors are not permitted and proof of North Reading residency is required.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Drivers continue to be urged to use caution while traveling.  While a road may be open, there are downed limbs partially obstructing travel lanes. Do not drive through large puddles. It only takes 1 to 2 feet of water to float a car.

• The public is advised to treat any downed wire as if it is live.

• If you operate a generator, place it outdoors facing away from doors, windows, and vents. 

• Never use a generator inside a house, basement, or crawl space – not even inside a garage with the door open.  Whenever possible, place the generator 5 to 10 feet away from the house.