Crime & Safety

UPDATE: Marlborough Starts to Get Power Back, Crews Still Working [POLL]

National Grid is not yet offering estimates for restoration of power, but said they are forthcoming.

UPDATE, 4:25 p.m.: Residents and Marlborough Patch Facebook readers are reporting restored electrical service in different areas of the city. Broad Street and the the area around Marlborough Hospital now have service. 

National Grid held a telephone press conference early Sunday afternoon, with Massachusetts National Grid president Marcy Reed telling reporters that efforts to restore service to their customers state-wide was well underway.

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Find out what's happening in Marlboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

UPDATE, noon: City Councilor Matt Elder just tweeted us that he's been told power will start returning to Marlborough around 7 p.m. The delays are due all the downed limbs and power lines. 

That leaves the question: Where is everyone going to watch the Patriots game? Tell us in the comments. 

Find out what's happening in Marlboroughwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

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Only two months after laid its heavy hand on Marlborough, the city has once again awoken to a widespread blackout. 

With large trees and power lines down around Marlborough due to the heavy nature of the snow—an unusual storm this early in the season—more than 30,000 residents woke up without power Sunday morning. 

Dawn broke with sunny skies and National Grid vehicles out in force beginning the long process of restoring service.

"In the Marlborough area there are approximately 30,000 customers without service and in all of Massachusetts, as of about 9 a.m., 398,900 customers are without power," said Debby Drew, a spokesperson for National Grid. "This is the worst October snowstorm in New England history. There has been a State of Emergency issued and we are seeing a lot of damages caused by the wet, heavy snow. It is collecting on the trees and then falling down on our equipment. We have crews arriving today from North Carolina, Michigan and Ohio, and hundreds of internal crews and contractors are already at work."

A drive around Marlborough early Sunday revealed nearly every business closed, besides those running on generators (, and a couple of others), and every major intersection was without directional lights. 

Many residents are looking for details as to when they can expect their power to be restored, but National Grid said they are not ready to offer that information just yet. 

"As soon as we have estimated times of restoration we will let our customers know," said Drew. "We know that communication is key to our customers and we will keep them informed."

Those customers with downed lines are asked to call 1-800-465-1212. 

While the power situation in Marlborough remains dire, the Massachusetts State Police did not report any major issues on the area highways. officials were not available for comment as of this post. 

As National Grid crews begin to untangle the mess before them, they said that customers' safety is a top priority. 

"We have a lot of limbs tangled up with wires, and we want to remind customers not to touch any wires at all as it is possible they are still live," said Drew. "Also, if you are using a generator, make sure it is operating in the open and the main breaker to your house is off."

Customers are also encouraged to check in on elderly neighbors and others who may be in need. 

Check back with Marlborough Patch for updates on this story as it develops. Also, tell us in the comments if you power is out and where you are. For those who've gotten their power back, don't forget to post that as well and give some hope to those don't!

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